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. The characters from Rurouni Kenshin are the creations and property of Watsuki Nobuhiro 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 and they belong to me. As do other assorted family members. As for the reviewers and fanfic authors in this fic - they belong to themselves! But I get to "borrow" them for the duration of this fic. In fact, they all requested it - unknowingly placing their necks squarely in the noose. Bwahahahahahaha!!

Warning: Some scatological humor (slap! Bad Roku!!), extreme abuse of fanfic author Sagara Sanosuke, some possible motion sickness and vertigo - but surprise! very little Chichiri fangirl provocation.

This chapter is dedicated to Ryuen, who many months ago foresaw trouble in this chapter. But perhaps not this much trouble!!

 

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

 

Chapter 9. Taking Flight

 

Part A. Pre-Flight Anxiety

 

The backstage crew bustles around under Sorceress' direction, trying to set up the complex set for "Flight." The assistant director/makeup artist/general all-around go-fer takes a critical look at the set, then decides that it's time for the Director to take one final look and start the scene.

 

Sorceress: (calling) Roku! Roku-chan, it's time! (under her breath) Dammit, where is she?!

 

Roku suddenly appears from behind Tasuki's screen and runs up to Sorceress, breathless.

 

Roku: Okay, girlfriend, I'm ready. Time to rock?

Sorceress: (frowning) Yeah, we're severely behind schedule, as usual. Where have you been?

Roku: (evasively) Oh, the usual - attending to cast morale, ya know. (briskly changing the subject) So lemme take a look around here…

Sorceress: Wait a minute - you've got something on your face - by your mouth. Here… (points at the corners of Roku's mouth)

Roku: Oh! Heh, heh, heh. Chocolate whipped cream… (busily scrubs at the corners of her mouth with her tongue)

Sorceress: That's some tongue action you've got there!

Roku: (suddenly smirking) So I've been told…

 

She runs onstage while Sorceress just shakes her head. The assistant director fails to notice the cast magician exiting Tasuki’s screen, clutching a dish of melted ice cream. He looks around briefly for a trash receptacle – then shrugs and waves a hand, consigning it to that extra-dimensional space wherein lie wire coat hangers, unmatched socks and several of Roku’s spare sets of house keys. He then moves off to await Roku’s call.

Roku looks in satisfaction at the set for "Flight." The upstage backdrop is skillfully painted with the images of trees receding into the misty distance, giving the set extra depth. In front of the backdrop stand tall silvery "tree trunks" accented with a few low branches bedecked with green silk leaves. These trees take up one-third of the upstage area. They stand mostly in shadow, but a few intermittent yellow spotlights will give the impression of sunbeams breaking through a canopy of leaves. A flat wooden platform rests on some "branches" approximately 15 feet above floor level and 8 feet stage left of center stage.

This is the center of the "trapeze" set-up and the focal point for most of the action in this scene. Further to stage left of the platform, the trees stop, leaving just a pale blue background. This area will be lit with bright yellow and white spotlights, simulating a sunny clearing. The actors will swing towards this clearing and actually disappear from the audience’s view as they reach the top of the trajectory near offstage left. Approximately 12 feet downstage of the platform is a lone "tree" complete with leafy canopy and "break-away trunk" for Nuriko to punch through. Thin metal wires are attached to the canopy to control the fall of the upper part of the tree into offstage left, hopefully preventing the offstage crew from being crushed.

Roku’s heart begins to pound as she surveys the tracks on which the rolling pulley system will run. The wires and ropes that will suspend Tasuki and Nuriko are attached to this system, the mobility of the pulley allowing the crew to incrementally adjust the position of the aerialists for their multiple actions in this scene – simple trapeze "flying" followed by retrieval of the tessen from the stage floor, ending with punching through the tree and the subsequent fall of her two actors to the stage floor. Roku rechecks the netted area that will catch Tasuki and Nuriko. It’s raised about three feet above floor level and is disguised by cushioned and camouflaged risers that make the stage appear to be a naturally undulating forest floor. Shaking her head, the Director moves offstage into the wings, where Sorceress awaits her.

 

Sorceress: What’s the matter? Is something wrong with the set?

Roku: No – at least, I hope to God nothing’s wrong! I just can’t believe that we’re going through with this! This scene is crazy-dangerous for circus performers, let alone ordinary actors…

Sorceress: They’re not ordinary actors, Roku – and besides, you’re the one who wrote this scene!

Roku: (sighing) I know – but it’s easy to write a scene in a book because as the author, you control the outcome of every action. But as Director, all I can do is pray that everything turns out all right – and kick myself in the ass for letting Tasuki talk me into staging this scene in the first place!

 

At this point, the seishi in question wanders into the wings, casually adjusting his acrobatic grip gloves.

 

Tasuki: Hey, who’s takin’ my name in vain? Not some wussy wench with a case of cold feet, izzit?

Roku: (grimly) Yeah, you got it – the wussy wench whose job it’s gonna be to pack your component parts in a box if this scene goes south!

Tasuki: (smirking) You gotta get your mind off my component parts, Roku!

 

But even ribald humor fails to bring a smile to the Director’s face.

 

Roku: (still glum) I wish my filthy mind was the problem here – unfortunately, it’s my rational mind that’s screaming warnings at me. (looks at Tasuki hopefully) Listen, Gen-chan, it’ll make this paranoid wench a lot happier if you would just agree to wear the safety wire…

Tasuki: (patiently) Look, Roku, we’ve been through all this already – I told you that I can handle this better without that stupid wire getting in the way. It’s not much good anyway – all it can do is keep me from falling onto the cushioned stage floor – it ain’t gonna stop me from crashing into props or backdrops or getting impaled on a branch, or…

Roku: (nervously) Okay, okay! Quit talking about all the things that can go wrong! Bad luck, or somethin’…

Tasuki: (catching her in an affectionate noogie) Baka superstitious girl!

 

At this point, Nuriko shows up in the wings, having had his make-up touched up by Sorceress. He’s wearing a tunic that is a size too big, so that it hangs off his apparently fragile frame. His violet eyes look huge above the dark circles that Sorceress has brushed beneath them – and he would look appropriately frail and waif-like if it weren’t for the self-satisfied grin on his face.

 

Tasuki: (releasing the Director) Look who’s walkin’ around with a big shit-eatin’ grin on his face – must be someone who’s been getting some aaaaaaac-tionnnn!

Nuriko: (punching him affectionately) Shut up, you! You’re just jealous!

Roku: (catching Nuriko’s fist) No, no, no, don’t hit him in the arms – he’s gonna need those!

Tasuki: (embarrassed) Roku, quit fussin' over me, dammit!

Nuriko: (getting a wicked gleam in his eyes) Oh, is Mama's widdle boy compwainin' about Big, Mean Nuri-chan? Is him afwaid him's gonna falllllll?!

Tasuki: Shut up, sissy boy! I'm not scared of nothin'! Don't blame me for the paranoid wench's… paranoia!

Nuriko: (catching Tasuki in a headlock and giving him a good, hard noogie) We'll just see who's the sissy-boy!

Roku: (getting really pissed) Stop it, Nuriko!! Get serious, goddammit - this is a dangerous chapter, and I don't need you two foolin' around!

Nuriko: (releasing Tasuki) Geez, Roku - lighten up already! Tasuki's right - you are paranoid. Everything's going to be fine!

Tasuki: (rubbing the back of his neck and grumbling at Roku) Toldja you were makin' it worse!

Roku: (still pissed) Oh, yeah, I'm just being paranoid. After all, it's not like anything else has gone wrong tonight!!

 

The two seishi look at the floor and mutter.

 

Roku: (narrowing her eyes) You two had better behave, if for no other reason than to keep me from getting so nervous that I get another case of hiccups. (in a threatening tone) Remember Mitsukake, boys - how would you like to be flying around onstage stark naked?!! (glaring at Tasuki) Upside-down!!

Tasuki and Nuriko: (pale) Ullppp!!

Roku: Good! Now get over there and start reviewing your lines!

 

She glares after the two seishi as they move obediently into the wings, clutching their scripts.

 

Roku: (sighing) Kids! When reasoning fails, one has to fall back on threats and intimidation!

 

She snags her sister as she walks by.

 

Roku: Listen, CG, I need you to go to Mitsukake's dressing room and let him know that we're ready to start the scene.

Chichiri's Girl: (growsing) Fine! But even though I'm going to a seishi's dressing room, I'm not listening to any more declarations of love - not unless they come from a certain blue-haired monk!!

 

Roku looks after her confused - and Tasuki looks up, having overheard her rather loud voice.

 

Tasuki: Declarations of love?!

 

He looks up to see Miaka standing a short way off, blushing furiously.

 

Tasuki: (voice soft with wonder) Ohhhhh…

 

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

 

Part B. A Wretched Sense of Honor

 

Meanwhile, while all this has been going on, Aikido-chan has been undergoing a personal examination in the aforementioned doctor’s dressing room after having been knocked down by Mitsukake in his frantic rush from the stage. Under his direction, she tracks the movement of his fingers while he holds a penlight to her eyes.

 

Mitsukake: (pleased) Yes, that’s good – everything looks fine.

Aikido: (self-conscious) I tried to tell you that I wasn’t hurt – just a little overwhelmed.

Mitsukake: (turning from her and replacing the instruments in their case) Overwhelmed?

Aikido: (forging ahead courageously) Yes, well… when an absolutely gorgeous man falls on you stark naked out of nowhere, it can make you feel like you’ve just been transported to another reality – and that can be kind of… overwhelming.

Mitsukake: (turning back to stare at her in shock) Did you say "gorgeous?!"

Aikido: (flushing) Maybe that’s the wrong word. (stammering as he approaches her) Too effeminate? Maybe I should have said "handsome" or "compelling" or… (catches her breath as he leans over her)

Mitsukake: (very close and obviously intrigued) Or?

Aikido: (breathless) I forgot what I was going to say!

Mitsukake: (drawing back) I’m sorry – I didn’t mean to press you like that. (smiles self-deprecatingly) It’s just that I almost never hear anyone talk about me like that – the way they talk about Hotohori or Tamahome or Tasuki or Chichiri… I’m just "the tall one" and Chiriko’s "the short one" and we usually get overlooked in the crowd…

Aikido: (sympathetically) I know what you mean. I get overlooked in my life, too – and I can’t even blame it on a crowd. It’s always "You’re cute, but would you introduce me to your girlfriend?" or "I’m not ready for a relationship right now, but I’d really like to sleep with you…"

Mitsukake: (frowning in disbelief) I can’t believe that all the men you meet could be so stupid…

Aikido: (blushing at the compliment) Well, they’re not ALL that disinterested. I have a pretty good track record with guys who are totally… well, to put it nicely, not my type. No, let there be a complete lack of attraction to them, and suddenly they’re calling and writing and harassing…!!

Mitsukake: (darkly) I’m beginning to know what you mean. Right now, I’m trying to figure out how to deal with Roku-chan – and it’s all the more difficult since she’s a friend.

Aikido: (guiltily) Well, I wouldn’t worry too much about her – I’ve known Roku for a long time and no matter how crazy she acts, she’s essentially a rational person. Not to mention, you can’t really trust anything to do with Shin to be anything other than a warped view of reality.

Mitsukake: (sighing) I hope that you’re right – I would hate to lose a friendship over some foolish obsession. (looks into Aikido-chan’s eyes again) You know, over the past few weeks of rehearsal, I’ve seen you around here from time to time – but I never realized that you could be so easy to talk to…

Aikido: (breathless again) Nor me, you… or I, you… or (blushing)

 

Her heart beats rapidly as they stare into one another’s eyes – but her sense of honor wins out.

 

Aikido: But what about your girlfriend? Shouka, right? Don’t you… Doesn’t she…? She doesn’t overlook you, right?

 

Mitsukake seems to come back to himself and draws back guiltily.

 

Mitsukake: Noooooooo… or at least she doesn’t mean to. We’re just in one of those crazy schedule misalignments – she’s on the early shift at the hospital, and I’m on leave, spending late nights here rehearsing and now acting in the play. When we do see each other, we’re both too tired to have really meaningful conversations…

Aikido: (striving to be fair) Well, I’m sure that it’s just a phase that all couples go through – or so I’ve heard. (smiles sadly) When all this craziness is over, you’ll probably get back to normal.

Mitsukake: You’re probably right.

 

They stare at one another again, feeling the tension hum between them… knowing that this is as far as it can go.

 

Aikido: (breaking the silence) But there’s one thing you need to know, Mitsukake…

Mitsukake: (softly) What?

 

At that moment, there is a loud hammering on his door, and they both jump.

 

Chichiri’s Girl: (outside the door) Mits, you in there? We need you out here five minutes ago!!

Mitsukake: (calling out) Be right there!!

 

He gets up, and Aikido-chan tries not to look at him standing there in his too-short robe.

 

Aikido: Well, I’d better go. You have to get dressed. (gets up, then walks towards the door)

Mitsukake: (sadly) Yes… but wait! What was it that you were about to tell me?

Aikido (turning in the doorway) That it’s not necessarily foolish.

Mitsukake: What’s not foolish?

Aikido: (smiling) Being obsessed with you. (closes the door, leaving him standing there, stunned)

 

Aikido-chan takes a moment to pull herself together before rejoining the backstage crew.

 

Aikido: (smacking the heel of her hand against her forehead several times) Stupid, stupid, stupid sense of honor!

 

Meanwhile, inside his dressing room, Mitsukake pauses while pulling on his costume for "Flight."

 

Mitsukake: Damn this wretched sense of honor!

 

He tightens his belt, pulls on his gloves, then goes to join the rest of the cast in the wings.

 

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

 

Part C. Runway cleared for take-off

 

The Director stands in the stage left wings, watching the completion of the brief scene between Nuriko and Mitsukake in the narrow downstage set that depicts the prison corridor outside Tamahome’s cell. This set is analogous to the narrow set used at the beginning of the Purification scene, the background scenery mounted on two wheeled walls. Nuriko has finished expressing his worry over Tamahome’s state of mind to Mitsukake, and Mitsukake in return has insisted that Nuriko meet him in the woods for some fresh air for his own good. The costume and make-up talents of Sorceress have worked a kind of magic on Nuriko’s appearance, making the normally vibrant seishi appear frail in the baggy tunic, and peaky, with dark circles under his eyes standing out against the pale makeup on his face.

The violet-eyed seishi looks up at Mitsukake, suddenly hesitant and nervous. Being confined in the prison with Tamahome since the exorcism, he is unaware of Tasuki’s state of health, only knowing the information that the oni had imparted to him.

 

Nuriko: (eyes wide and hopeful) Mitsuskake? (stammering) Do you think that I could see Tasuki for a little while? I haven’t seen him since the Star-Gazing Festival… (catches his breath) I mean, I understand that he may not want visitors either, but if I could just go in, sit by his bed, maybe just hold his hand… I promise I won’t even talk, if he doesn’t want me to!

Mitsukake: (smiling) Of course you can – but you have to meet me with the tessen first! Deal?

Nuriko: (finally returning his smile) Deal! I’ll be there, Mitsukake!

 

Kaze-chan brings the lights down on Nuriko and Mitsukake as they exit to stage left. Sorceress and Chichiri's Girl run out behind the prison corridor backdrop and pull apart the sliding walls, wheeling them into the wings - and exposing yet another backdrop set about 6 feet upstage of the previous set. This backdrop is a mural of tree trunks receding into the woods, with a few tree trunk props set closer to downstage to give the effect of a path into the three-dimensional woods.

Meanwhile, hidden behind this backdrop, Tasuki, Chiriko and Miaka quickly scale a ladder to the platform in the "trees". Mitsuskake removes the ladder while Tasuki fastens harnesses around Chiriko and Miaka. Roku-chan watches from offstage below, confident in Tasuki's supervision of this operation - in contrast to his blasé attitude towards his own safety, he is careful to the point of being anal about Miaka's and his brother seishi's safety. While they test out the integrity of the support ropes and wires, Roku-chan calls in to Kryssa to start up the music. She glances at Chichiri, who stands beside her in the wings - he is her final failsafe safety system, readying himself with quiet meditation to cast some emergency spells should things go wrong.

As the contemplative melody of the first stanza of "The Memory of Trees" starts up, Sorceress hands the silk-wrapped tessen to Nuriko. Nuriko places it on his shoulder, waiting for the lights to go up. Kaze-chan starts out with just a few golden overhead spots. She gradually adds more white spots until the "path through the woods" is softly lit. Meanwhile, Kryssa has started up the sound effects of trilling birds and rustling boughs. Nuriko steps out on his cue to start his monologue, his shoulders bowed as if under a heavy burden as he walks slowly towards stage right.

 

Nuriko: (lifting his face to the "sun") Feels good to be outside… (inhales deeply) Smells good, too. Fresh, alive… Reminds me of when Hotohori-sama, Miaka, and I went on our search for the remaining seishi. In spite of the dangers, those were good times… (sighs) happy times…

 

He stops and rotates slowly, looking up at the trees.

 

Nuriko: This reminds me of Mount Reikaku… where we first found Tasuki. (laughs suddenly) Gods, I remember how badly I wanted to kick his ass when he kidnapped Miaka from right under our noses! That little shit - taunting us and laughing at us!

 

His smile suddenly crumples, becoming wistful, sad.

 

Nuriko: What wouldn't I give to hear that mocking laugh right now! Instead, all I can hope for is maybe… (chokes) maybe a squeeze of my hand…

 

He pauses and tilts his face upwards again, blinking back tears. Kaze-chan lights green spots above him and to stage right, simulating sunlight filtering through green leaves.

 

Nuriko: (huskily) Green light... healing light, like Mitsukake's spheres. (in a soft but fervent prayer) Heal me… Heal this heart so that I can be strong… strong for the others…

 

He continues to the stage right wings. Sorceress and Chichiri's Girl run behind this backdrop and pull it apart, revealing the main set. Tasuki, Miaka, and Chiriko stand quietly on the platform, which is as yet unlit, leaving them hidden in the shadows. Kaze-chan begins flicking on one golden or green spotlight after another, the tight beams imparting the atmosphere of the vaulted interior of a cathedral. The audience oohs and ahs at the impressive set, making Roku-chan smile briefly. She immediately grows serious, however, her chest tightening in apprehension of the dangerous aerial stunts about to be executed by the cast. Chichiri moves closer, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder in an attempt to get her to calm down.

Kryssa brings up the lyrical, soaring melody of the second stanza of "The Memory of Trees," and Nuriko makes his entrance into the main set from the stage right wings, still sad and contemplative.

 

Nuriko: (looking around and muttering to himself) So where are you, Mitsukake? You said that you wanted the tessen… (sighs again) Still, it's a good sign that it's safe to bring out the tessen again - it must mean that Tasuki's getting better… (frowns) It wasn't as easy for me to get in and out of the concubine quarters as it used to be - I don't know how I could have done it without Houki's help. But it was the safest place to hide that damn fan - Tasuki is as likely to invade that ultra-feminine area of the palace as he is to sprout wings and fly!

 

He breaks off as he hears childish laughter coming from the treetops. Right on cue with the bass drum whole note, Chiriko comes flying out from the platform, swinging in a clean arc on the end of his line, as Mitsukake pulls on the ropes from below. Roku holds her breath as the next risky part commences - Miaka jumping off the platform. She gasps as Miaka spins for a moment - but Mitsukake takes control, and soon Miaka is swinging outward, catching hold of Chiriko's hands and laughing in unfeigned delight. The audience cheers the flying stunt.

Nuriko stands below, apparently dumbfounded at the sight, the tessen now gripped loosely in his hand. Mitsukake pulls up the two aerialists, who land safely on the platform. Miaka turns and looks down, pointing in delight.

 

Miaka: (shrieking happily) Nuriko!! Nuriko's here!!

 

At this moment, Tasuki steps out from the shadows, his green-and-tan outfit having camouflaged him against the trees, and jumps off the platform so suddenly that Roku doesn't even have time to blink. He spirals downward on the line he holds wrapped around his gloved hand, then kicks off one of the prop trees to fly directly at Nuriko. Exactly on cue with Enya's vocal entrance, he scoops up Nuriko in his free arm. Nuriko drops the tessen in surprise, and the audience cheers, even the Director letting out a whoop of triumph. The two actors go flying towards stage right, swinging out of sight into the wings, where Tasuki kicks off a padded wall to send the two of them flying back into sight. Mitsukake pulls on a second wire attached to Tasuki’s rope, halting their pendulum swing, the momentum spinning them into a spiral. He then pulls them up, still spiraling, to the platform above. They touch down lightly, and Tasuki releases Nuriko, who falls to his knees. He then slaps hands with Chiriko.

 

Tasuki: An’ that, Chiriko, is what’s known as a Mount Reikaku aerial ambush! (laughs his trademark mocking laugh)

Nuriko: (staring up at Tasuki in disbelief) Tasuki?

 

Getting to his feet unsteadily, he walks over to Tasuki – then pulls him into a fierce hug.

 

Nuriko: (joyfully) Tasukiiiiiiiiiiiii!!!

 

Tasuki hugs him back – but soon begins pushing against him.

 

Tasuki: (choking) Can’t… breathe...

 

Nuriko playfully squeezes him just a little tighter to force the last of the air out of his lungs – a move too subtle to be seen by the audience but obvious to the Director – then releases the bandit to fall to his knees, desperately gasping for air, not needing to act. Nuriko assumes an expression of shocked contrition while Tasuki, his back to the audience, glares at him and subtly flips him the bird, unable to say his next lines due to lack of breath.

 

Nuriko: (covering for him by improvising) Sorry! Sorry, Gen-chan!

Tasuki: (finally regaining his breath) Shikuso!! (gasping) Dammit, Nuriko, how many times do I gotta tell ya to watch your own strength?! I saw my whole life pass before my eyes just now!

 

The two actors remain admirably in character for the rest of their dialogue, while Roku-chan shakes her head.

 

Roku: Damn those two assholes! They’re already screwing around – and the most dangerous part of this whole thing is just coming up!!

Sorceress: Calm down, Roku-chan – they’ll be okay. Anyway, you have only yourself to blame, since you’ve provoked Nuriko’s sense of mischief by being too overprotective of Tasuki in this scene.

Roku: (grumbling) I don’t know which is worse – dealing with seishi or dealing with kids! They get jealous of Mom’s attention being on the other sibling for even one extra minute…! And speaking of immature behavior, I don’t believe for one minute that Tasuki’s not gonna come up with some stunt to get even with Nuriko!

Chichiri’s Girl: Re-lax!! At least, you don’t have those damn hiccups attacking everyone in this scene…

Roku: (pissed) Thanks a lot for reminding me of those! I was trying not to think about them, hoping that it would keep them away!

Chichiri’s Girl: Don’t worry – your diaphragm’s probably wound up too tight to let any hiccups take over. (smirks) Not to mention other muscles way south of there…

Roku: Shut up, wench!

Chichiri: Sorry to interrupt warm family exchanges, but the pivotal part of this scene is coming up…

Chichiri’s Girl: (leering at her idol) Speaking of warm exchanges…

 

But Roku breaks it up, shoving her sister out of the way so that she has a clear view of the stage.

 

Onstage, Tasuki has finished fastening Miaka’s harness around a bemused Nuriko.

 

Tasuki: Where is the tessen, anyway, Nuriko?

 

Nuriko, still in a trance-like state, points down to the stage floor.

 

Tasuki: (smirking wickedly) Okay, you dropped it - you gotta go get it!!

 

He pushes Nuriko backwards off the edge of the platform, grabbing the support rope at the back of Nuriko's harness and falling with him. The audience screams along with Nuriko.

 

Nuriko Kyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Tasuki: (shouting in glee) Let's FLY!!

 

The rope pulls taut and stops their descent, swinging them upwards towards the stage left "clearing." The audience's screams turn to shouts of delight, as Roku clutches her heart. Tasuki and Nuriko reach the top of the arc at offstage left, and Nuriko winks cheekily at the crew below, then reverts to character as they swing back towards the stage.

 

Nuriko: Kyaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Tasuki: (laughing) C'mon, quit screaming like a girl!!

 

They swing into the stage right wings, and Tasuki kicks off the wall, sending them flying back into view. Nuriko's screams turn into unfeigned laughter.

 

Nuriko: Kyaahhhhh-ahahahahahahaha!!

 

The two seishi laugh happily as they make a few more passes back and forth through the beams of "sunlight," the audience sharing in their delight. Even Roku smiles, relieved at how smoothly the scene is going so far. The most difficult part is coming up, however. Tasuki asks Nuriko to point out the tessen on the "ground," then shouts to Mitsukake to lower them on his signal. He then makes the first move of his complicated trapeze act, slipping around Nuriko's body so that they are now face-to-face. Nuriko shrieks, and Roku and the audience gasp - but Tasuki manages to cling to him securely. He flips his legs up to wrap them around Nuriko's waist, locking his feet around the rope, and tells Nuriko to hold onto his belt.

 

Sorceress: (to Roku, dryly) Some more of your homoerotic imagery?

Roku: (wiping her palms nervously on her pants) It was a lot more fun in writing - when it wasn't so damn life-threatening!!

 

Tasuki now releases his grip on Nuriko's shoulders to hang upside down as they swing back and forth. Roku holds her breath.

 

Tasuki: (shouting) Okay, Mits - Down!!

 

The rope lowers about 2 feet, Tasuki reaches out at the lowest point of their trajectory and snatches up the tessen, and Mitsukake pulls the rope up sharply. The audience cheers, and Roku sends a prayer of thanks heavenward. Tasuki then flips up to grab Nuriko's shoulders again and struggles to assume his previous position above Nuriko, jabbing and hitting the smaller seishi several more times than is called for in the script.

 

Roku: (wearily) Here we go - I knew that he was gonna find some way of getting even.

Nuriko: (snarling in genuine irritation) Watch it, Fang-boy - I'm not your damn horse!

 

Tasuki, once more on top, shoves the tessen into its holster, then reaches out and grabs Nuriko's braid, wrapping it around his hand and giving it a few playful - and hard - yanks.

 

Tasuki: (smirking in triumph) Yeah, well, whatcha gonna do about it? I knew all this hair would be useful for somethin’...Gee UP!!

 

Nuriko is no pushover, though, and gets a wicked gleam in his violet eyes.

 

Nuriko: That's it!! (shouting) Nuriko Always Wreaks Revenge!

Roku: (to the backstage crew) Okay, as soon as they reach stage right, pull on the guide wire!

 

Roku looks up, hoping that the guide wire pulling on the rope will simulate the increased speed of Nuriko's kick-off, since he's been forbidden to actually use his legs - the expected force of his kick would be mmuch greater than safety considerations allow. But Nuriko has other ideas, and reaches out his legs ahead of Tasuki's as they reach the padded wall - and kicks off hard.

The two seishi shoot across the stage almost too fast to see, Tasuki screaming in real terror. Nuriko realizes his mistake too late, as they blast towards the prop tree at breakneck speed. Mitsukake leaps offstage and grabs the guidewire in an attempt to slow them down - but it snaps under the stress.

 

Roku: SHIT!!!

 

Nuriko throws his gauntleted arm up as they impact the prop tree - and it blasts into pieces, the crown dangling weirdly by its safety wires while the trunk falls back onstage in fiberglass splinters. The two seishi rocket backwards towards the stage in silence, Tasuki having lost his breath from screaming, as the audience shrieks in horror at their inevitable impact with stage right.

 

Roku: (screaming) Chichiriiiiiii!!!

 

The magician is way ahead of her, one hand raised parallel to his face, muttering spells rapidly under his breath. Suddenly a new track for the pulley system forms perpendicular to the onstage track, the two seishi whipping out to soar above the audience, up through the center of the theatre. But they are still moving too fast, and Tasuki loses his grip, once more slipping around Nuriko's body and hanging upside down. The audience and crew shout in horror as he zooms straight towards a girl who had risen to her feet moments earlier to see the action.

 

Roku: (wailing and covering her eyes) I can't look!!

 

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

 

Part D. Mayday, Mayday… Seishi Flight 101 on Collision Course with…

 

Chichiri snaps out another spell which halts the sliding pulley system, sending the seishi swinging upwards in an arc – but doesn’t prevent Tasuki from impacting the girl. He catches her up in his arms, and now the three are swinging back towards the stage. The girl is fanfic author MidoriChi, and she is young, very slender, with black-brown shoulder-length hair. She is clad in blue jeans and a tight-fitting t-shirt. She also has a tendency to state the obvious.

 

MidoriChi: Kyaahhhhhhh!! I’ve been picked up…and… and… I’m flying – and… I want to GET DOWN!!

 

A tall young man with wildly spiky brown hair unsuccessfully confined within a red headband, wearing a light blue gi with the character for "wicked" painted on the back, leaps out of his seat. He is the alter-ego of fanfic author Sagara Sanosuke.

 

Sagara Sanosuke: (setting down his sake bottle and shouting) I’ll rescue you, little lady!! Just let go of that airborne fire-rat, and I’ll catch you!!

Tasuki: (pissed) Hey, who are you callin’…

 

At that point, he loses his grip on MidoriChi, who goes catapulting into Sagara Sanosuke’s arms. They go down with a crash, smashing Sanosuke’s seat.

 

MidoriChi: (pleased and grateful) Hey, thanks, Mister! I didn’t even get a scratch!

Sagara Sanosuke: (groaning beneath her) Wish I could say the same…

 

He feels something damp – and realizes that his sake bottle is broken. He gently removes MidoriChi from his chest – then leaps up, enraged, shaking his fist at Tasuki and Nuriko as they swing past, still out of control.

 

Sagara Sanosuke: (shouting) I can take a lot of stuff – but I can’t let you get away with the waste of good sake!!! THIS MEANS WAR, FLAME-BOY!!

 

Tasuki is moving too fast to hear him – but from his upside down position, he spies another female figure in his path to the stage.

 

Tasuki: (screaming) Get out of the way!! MIAKA, GET OUT OF THE WAYYYYYY!!

 

But it’s too late, so he reaches out and snatches her up as carefully as he can – only to discover that it’s not Miaka, but another fanfic author in the audience who bears a striking resemblance to the Priestess.

 

Uozumi: KyaaaaAAAHHHHHHH!!

 

Sagara Sanosuke leaps up heroically when he hears her scream.

 

Sagara Sanosuke: Don’t worry, Little Lady Number Two!! Just trust Sano, and I’ll catch… oomphhh!

 

Tasuki has released Uozumi to land squarely on top of Sanosuke, and they crash into Sano’s broken seat. Once again, Sanosuke has cushioned a flying fanfic author’s fall.

 

Uozumi: (removing her foot from Sano’s face) Gee, thanks – that was really nice of you to catch me!

Sagara Sanosuke: (gingerly feeling his jaw) Don’t mention it… (collapses back into his broken seat)

 

Meanwhile, the rest of the seishi have gathered onstage, drawn by the screams and shouts in the audience.

 

Tamahome: (awestruck) I have to say, this is the first time that I’ve seen Tasuki and Nuriko picking up girls… (smirks) Of course, this is probably the only way that Tasuki can pick up girls!

Roku: (desperately, as she watches the seishi zoom towards her again) Chichiri, why are they still moving so fast?! The laws of physics say that they can’t keep moving at such high velocity –even ignoring the decay of momentum, the friction of their impact with the girls alone ought to have slowed them down!

Chichiri: (frowning) Well, Roku, I had to warp the laws of physics to create that extra track. I suspect that their continued speed is a side-effect of the counter-reality field surrounding the track. If I remove that field…

Roku: (interrupting glumly)… the track disappears, and they go crashing into the audience.

Chichiri: I’m afraid that that’s a distinct possibility.

Roku: Dammit! There’s got to be SOME way to slow them down without losing the counter-reality field!!

Tamahome: (cheerfully) Maybe they’ll run into the soundbooth! That ought to stop them! (smirking widely) What went through Tasuki’s mind as he hit the soundproof glass? His ass!

 

Roku fixes Tamahome with a fierce glare, and Chichiri’s Girl runs up and takes the clueless seishi aside.

 

Chichiri’s Girl: Listen, Tama, even I know when NOT to provoke my big sister. She’s really tense right now, and you are skating on dangerously thin ice here!

Tamahome: I know that – I was just trying to help out by lightening things up. I thought that maybe a couple of jokes would make her smile.

Chichiri’s Girl: Take my advice, Tama – Death-of-Tasuki jokes are unlikely to make my sister smile at any time, let alone NOW, when that’s a distinct possibility!

Tamahome: (turning pale) Things aren’t really that bad, are they? I mean, we have Chichiri and Mitsukake here. Chichiri should be able to stop them – and if he can’t, Mitsukake can…

Chichiri’s Girl: (interrupting) Yeah, if they don’t both get killed instantly on impact. Mits can’t bring back the dead, remember? Plus if both get hurt, how’s he gonna choose which one to save?

 

Tamahome looks sick as he observes Chichiri’s intense focus as the monk runs through several spells in his head. He now realizes that things really are out-of-control. Hotohori stands a little away from the onstage group, his lips tightly compressed and his face pale as he watches his lover swing wildly around the auditorium. Nuriko, with that built-in radar that lovers have, spies the figure of his soulmate as he and Tasuki make another rapid approach towards the stage.

 

Nuriko: (shouting) Don’t worry, Hotohori-samaaaaaaaaaa! Ooomph!

 

Tasuki has used the momentum of their quick reversal to flip himself back up onto Nuriko’s back, getting a more secure position grasping the harness.

Meanwhile, up in the balcony, certain anime characters realize that their friends are in trouble. Kagome and Sango are leaning anxiously over the balcony rail, watching as Tasuki and Nuriko reverse direction from the stage and head back towards them.

 

Kagome: Inu-Yasha!! Can you catch them?

Inu-Yasha: (tersely) Hai! As soon as they approach… (hops up on the balcony rail, preparing to jump)

Sango: (hissing) Hentai!! (slaps Miroku across the face) Perverted monk!

Miroku: (grinning ruefully as he rubs his cheek) Why, Lady Sango, I was only trying to help you keep your balance!

Sango: (furious) By holding onto my….!! You keep your worries – and your hands – to yourself!!

 

Meanwhile, Kouga, the wolf-demon, has been sulking slouched against the railing, having failed to displace Inu-Yasha in the seat next to Kagome’s. He is tall, with fine chiseled features and long black hair caught up in a high ponytail. He wears a short, skirt-like wolf pelt wrapped around his waist and riding high on his thighs, exposing strong, slim legs that happen to contain one Shikon shard apiece. He turns a bored gaze on the two seishi rapidly approaching the balcony.

 

Kouga: Gah, baka ningen. Why are you going to bother with them at all, Inu-kkoro?

 

Inu-Yasha growls but turns, tensing in preparation for his leap – only to have the seishi alter direction slightly and accidentally scoop up Kagome.

 

Kagome: KyaaaaAAAAHHHHH!!

Inu-Yasha: (shouting in irritation) KagoMEEEEE!! Come BACK here!!(hops up and down on the railing in anger)

 

Tasuki pulls her up onto Nuriko, who grumbles in irritation at being made "the horse" again.

 

Tasuki: (breathless) Daijobu, Kagome?

Kagome: (relaxing as she recalls their earlier friendly interaction) Hai, Tasuki-san! (looks around as they fly around the auditorium) It’s very much like riding on Inu-Yasha’s back!

Tasuki: You can drop the "san," while you’re at it. You may be flyin' with us for awhile.

Nuriko: (glaring over his shoulder at them) Can we stop the coffee-house chitchat and start turning our brains to figuring out a way to STOP??!!

Tasuki: (to Kagome) Don’t mind him. He’s gettin' a little irritable with this situation that HE FUCKIN’ PUT US IN!!

Nuriko: Oh! Eh… Ehehehehehehehe!

 

As they swing back towards the balcony, Inu-Yasha prepares to leap again – only to get knocked off the balcony rail by Kouga with his super-fast Shikon-powered speed.

 

Inu-Yasha: (screaming as he falls to the aisle below) Bakayarooooooouu!

Kouga: (leaping at the flying seishi) Don’t worry, Kagome! I’ll rescue you from the stupid flying ningen!!

 

He grabs onto Nuriko, pulling on his braid and tipping the precarious balance of the three aerialists. Kagome screams as she begins sliding off Nuriko’s back. Nuriko hits at Kouga, who is struggling to get a foot up onto his back, while Tasuki tries to hold onto Kagome while throwing a few punches at the wolf-demon.

Back onstage, Roku puts her head together with Chichiri's in a frantic consultation. The rest of the crew, however, stares up at the melee.

 

Aikido-chan: (mouth dropping open, nudging Sorceress and Chichiri's Girl) Did you see that?!

Sorceress: (equally shocked) I don't believe it! Kouga wears nothing under that wolfskin miniskirt?!

Chichiri's Girl: (grinning) I think we should call it a mini-kilt. But really, what did you expect? Demon Underoos?

Sorceress: (aside, to Aikido-chan) So what's this going to cost me? Fifty or seventy-five dollars?

Aikido-chan: (smirking) Nothing!! He's not a member of the cast, so you can look all you want for free!!

Sorceress: (claps her hands) All right, then! (shouts at the group as they swing away) Hey!! Come back here!!

 

Unfortunately for Kouga, Mom, who has been quietly and interestedly observing the wild trapeze act from her front row seat, gets the same view as the crew – but is not nearly as pleased. She obviously did expect Demon Underoos.

 

Mom: (shouting) Shame!!! You itsa s’posed to wear underwear!!

 

The Slipper goes winging up at the group with deadly accuracy – and hits Kouga right where demons should not be hit. He lets out a wolflike howl of agony – and loses his grip on Nuriko, his fall accidentally pulling Kagome from Tasuki’s grasp so that she now dangles by one hand. At the same time, Sagara Sanosuke is just pulling himself up from the wreckage of his theatre seat. He foggily focuses on the skirted figure falling towards him.

 

Sagara Sanosuke: Don’t worry, Little Lady Number Three! I’ll just…(stops in shock at the view coming straight at him) Wait a minute! That’s no… OOOMMMPPHH!

 

The two figures crash back into Sanosuke’s smashed seat and lay there stunned for a moment. People of delicate sensibilities avert their eyes from the male-male entanglement. Kouga recovers first, leaping off Sanosuke with his demon speed. He gives one brief glance at his human crash dummy.

 

Kouga: Hmmph! At least one ningen is useful for something! (runs back towards the balcony.)

Sagara Sanosuke: (grimacing in pain) I’m not even gonna think about what was just sitting on the back of my head!! (scowls) But I AM gonna get even with that sake-spilling Flame-boy if it’s the last thing I do!

 

He struggles to get out of his broken seat – but then decides to take a breather for awhile.

Meanwhile, Inu-Yasha, having recovered quickly from his fall to the first floor, leaps up in time to catch Kagome as she dangles from Tasuki’s hand, transporting her safely back to the balcony. He then turns to see if he can help the two seishi – but it’s too late on this cycle, the rope taking them back towards the stage. Their trajectory alters slightly, swinging them out over the seats occupied by the Seiryuu crew.

Ashitare, hulking in his seat, stares up at the figure of Nuriko swinging above him – and finds the sight as irresistible as a dangling dog toy. Letting out a roar, he leaps at the purple-haired seishi, catching his claws onto the harness – and getting one claw entangled in Nuriko’s braid. Hotohori lets out an equally ferocious roar and races to pick up his holy sword, determined to kill Ashitare this time.

But Nuriko is hardly the damsel-in-distress. He brings up his gauntleted arm and lands a good solid punch to Ashitare’s head, knocking the werewolf half-conscious. Tasuki is also getting in a few good hits at Ashitare as they swing back towards the back of the theatre. The wolfman regains consciousness – only to see the audience flashing by twenty feet below them.

 

Ashitare: (howling in fear) Ahhh-rooooooooooooo!!!

 

He, Nuriko, and Tasuki are all fighting to get his claw detached from Nuriko’s braid. Nakago and Soi look up at the approaching aerial altercation.

 

Nakago: (coolly) Soi.

Soi: (worried) Hai, Nakago-sama?

Nakago: Ashitare is afraid of heights.

Soi: (confused) Hai, Nakago-sama.

Nakago: Do you remember what happens when Ashitare becomes frightened?

Soi: (eyes widening in horror) Hai, Nakago-sama!!

Nakago: Umbrella, Soi.

Soi: Hai!!!

 

She reaches under her seat and quickly pulls out an umbrella, opening it just as the howling figure of Ashitare passes over them. Liquid spatters off the dome of the umbrella. Adjacent audience members are not as fortunate, howling in outrage as Ashitare "rains" on them.

 

Nuriko: (fed up) You’re disgusting!! (punches the werewolf unconscious again)

 

He pulls at his hair ties and undoes his braid, freeing Ashitare’s claw from entanglement – and the wolfman falls towards the audience. Meanwhile, Sagara Sanosuke is finally extracting himself from the wreckage of his theatre seat yet again – and looks up to see yet another falling figure.

 

Sagara Sanosuke: (wearily) Hang on, I’ll catch… (eyes widening) Ohhhhh, SHIT!!!

 

But it's too late. The huge flying figure lands squarely on top of Sagara Sanosuke, smashing him once more into the wreckage of his seat. Sanosuke twitches weakly under the weight of large, hairy, damp wolfman.

 

Sagara Sanosuke: (muffled) Dammit! I'm gonna get even with Flame-boy for this if it's the last thing I do!!

 

At this point, Hotohori races up the aisle brandishing his sword. He pulls the werewolf off of Sanosuke, ready to deal the death blow - but stops with his sword caught in mid-swing as he realizes that Ashitare is still unconscious. The emperor hesitates, obviously frustrated, then resheathes his sword in one clean movement. Still enraged, he goes to kick the unconscious Seiryuu seishi - then stops that motion, too, finally whirling around and striding back towards the stage.

 

Hotohori: Damn this wretched sense of honor!

 

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

 

Part E. Seishi Flight 101 Cleared for Landing

 

As Tasuki and Nuriko continue to zoom around the auditorium, finally free of extraneous passengers, Roku and Chichiri brainstorm frantically.

 

Chichiri: I've tried to think of other spells to counteract their speed - but it's highly risky for me to try to maintain this spell field while imposing a new spell field in the same place.

Roku: Okay, so you can't throw one spell on top of another without risking losing the safety track - but isn't there any other way to disrupt the spell field?

Chichiri: Wait!! Wait, I think you've got something there! If we could get another magician to cast the same spell in the same place, the two counter-realities should cancel each other out. But we need someone who would be willing to place their spell exactly in line with mine!

Roku: (gloomily) Well, that cancels out any of the Seiryuu magicians - not to mention that they're so fucking crooked, I don't think a single one of them could walk a straight line! And I've got Shin, so Tomo can't do shit, anyway.

 

Her expression suddenly lightens as she smacks herself in the forehead.

 

Roku: I'm such a twit!! I am such a brainless idiot!! We've got another magician on staff right here, but I'm so busy using her for grunt work that I keep forgetting that she has magical powers!! (raising her voice) Sorceress!! Can you come here a minute? (mumbles to herself as Sorceress approaches) Yeah, remember the damn name, Roku!!

Sorceress: (expecting another menial task) What can I do for you guys?

Roku: Save the lives of a couple of seishi, that's what! Listen, girlfriend, we need another skilled spell-caster here. Are you up for it?

Sorceress: Of course I am. But I warn you that I'm not in Chichiri's class…

Roku: Don't worry, no one is.

Chichiri: (blushing) Thanks for the vote of confidence, Roku, but there are some pretty powerful magicians out in the universe…

Roku: (getting light-hearted once more) Whoever said that I was talking about magic?

 

Chichiri goes completely red, while Sorceress frowns in impatience.

 

Sorceress: Okay, enough of the jokes for the purpose of tormenting Kryssa - tell me what you need me to do!

Chichiri: (focused once more) We need you to cast a spell so as to disrupt my counter-reality field. Do you think you can summon up a track exactly in line with mine?

Sorceress: That would be extremely difficult, Chichiri - kind of like trying to draw a straight line without benefit of a ruler. If I'm off by even a few millimeters, the tracks won't mesh, and the resulting digression will derail Tasuki and Nuriko and send them flying into the audience.

Roku: (sagging in disappointment) So you're saying that you can't do it?

Sorceress: Hold on, oh Manic-Depressive One. I'm just saying that we shouldn't take the risk of casting a spell that demands such accuracy. I can cast a spell around the existing track - it just requires a woman's touch! Just watch…

 

Closing her eyes, Sorceress focuses her ki, frowning in concentration. She begins to mutter under her breath, the spellwords containing a musical Gaelic lilt. Her eyes suddenly snap open, and she fixes an intense stare at the track around which Tasuki and Nuriko are flying. Out of nowhere, a convoluted array of curving neon tubes lit in various fluorescent colors forms around the track, the colors changing softly in time with the music that Kryssa has continued to play on repeat. The audience oohs and ahs at the light display.

 

Roku: (breathing out in wonder) It's like the United terminal at O'Hare…

Sorceress: Okay, so zero points for originality, but I'm batting a thousand for effectiveness - Look!

 

Sure enough, the normal laws of physics have returned, and Nuriko and Tasuki are slowing in response to the friction being generated by the pulley system on the track. They make two more leisurely circuits around the auditorium, Nuriko beginning to grin and wave at the crowd, while Tasuki looks slightly green. Finally they slide back towards the stage, and Chichiri mutters one more spell, bringing them back onto the original track. He nods at Sorceress, and the magic track and the light display suddenly disappear. The audience cheers for the two aerialists as they land lightly onstage. Meanwhile, the crew clusters around Sorceress, congratulating her for saving the day.

Heedless of public opinion, Hotohori rushes onstage and catches Nuriko up in a fierce embrace. The audience cheers again, delighted to see Life reflect Art. Tamahome moves forward with Mitsukake to slap Tasuki on the back - but Tasuki doesn't see them, instead turning towards the platform to lock gazes with Miaka. Miaka moves out from the shadows where she has stood hidden all this time, Chiriko helping to conceal her anxiety by standing in front of her. Tears spill out over her cheeks as she holds her hands up to her mouth to stifle her sobs. Tasuki nods and gives her a small, secret smile - while Tamahome looks over and catches the interaction between the two.

 

Tamahome: (narrowing his eyes) What the Hell?!

 

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

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

 

Glossary of Japanese terms:

 

Hentai! - Pervert!

Baka ningen - stupid humans

Bakayarou! - Stupid (low-class) bastard!

Daijobu? - Are you all right?

-san - suffix used as a term of respect. When Kagome calls Tasuki "Tasuki-san", she is in effect calling him "Mr. Tasuki."

 

Author's notes: (1-9-02) Ooooh, scary ending. Yes, some dark elements will be coming back into play in "Casting Stones" - but not taking over the whole play - not yet, at least (smirks).

Well, apologies are in order - first of all, for changing the rating of this story to "R" without sufficient notice to my readers. As I noted in the story summary earlier, according to the FF.net new terms of service, Tasuki's excessive use of one of the "harsher sexually derived curse words" knocks this fic out of the PG-13 category. Kinda silly, I think -but the thing that tipped my hand was the sudden electronic incarceration of Ryuen for forgetting that she had a "list" from ten months ago as one of her 59 fics! (We ex-cons are going to get matching tattoos!) Not to mention that I'm not certain if Chapter 4 of CS would pass a strict inspection either - so better safe than sorry! Now, I'm not recommending that everyone with more than one use of the "F" word change their rating to "R" - this category is muddy enough as it is. I'm just explaining why I did it - and remember that I'm an ex-con with a record at ff.net! ^ ~

Next, apologies are perhaps owed to Sagara Sanosuke - but that author did ASK to get more lines in CS! You see how dangerous it can be to get what you ask for?! (wicked smirk)

Finally, apologies for the long wait for an update on this story. Too much Real Life (holidays, etc.) intervened - not to mention interference from the muse for "Hidden Paths." I'll try to do better - but blah, blah, blah. So many fanfics - so little time! (dramatic sigh)

Yes, I had to cut off this chapter, as I warned in my author notes. I had wanted to get into "Enchantment," but I guess we'll just save that for next time - something to look forward to! Plus with the new "R" rating, perhaps I'll have even MORE fun with that chapter. Whooo-hoooooooo!!

Oh, and I seem to be getting away from Chichiri fangirl abuse and excessive use of Shin. I promise to be a good girl and toe the line from now on.

 

 

You didn't seriously believe that, did you?! Bwahahahahahahaha!!!

Ja ne!

Roku-chan