by: Asurahime
Chapter 7- The Innocent Youth, Careless and Kind
Tasuki woke up in a cold sweat as the remnants of the dream flashed through his mind.
"Tasuki-kun, are you all right? You have been tossing and turning, and you tried to resist my awakening spell! After I told you that I was going to heal you, you just fell unconscious again!!", said Azeruse, shaking her head.
She noticed Tasuki staring at nothing quite intently. "Nani? Why are you staring at nothing like that for? Are you delirious?"
Tasuki blushed scarlet and faced her. "I-Iya, no reason... ... ... will you heal me now?"
Azeruse drew her sword and nodded. "Yes, remove your shirt please."
He suddenly felt a sense of deja vu. "Wha-what are you talkin' about?! Makin' me lose what diginity I have left?!"
Azeruse glared darkly at him as she slashed open his shirt, making him gasp in outrage. He closed his eyes tightly as she placed a hand on his chest. This is not happening. This is not happening. This is not happening. I don't like girls. I don't like girls. I don't like girls. She's a Seiryuu Seishi. She's a Seiryuu Seishi.... Who am I kidding? She's also Miaka!! I am a fool.
"You're hurt pretty badly, you know? I didn't think your fire spell would be this strong..." Azeruse's character suddenly flashed an intense blue light as she raised her left wrist over Tasuki's chest and removed the silver armband with her right arm. Then, she cut her wrist swiftly, causing blood to fall on Tasuki's burned form.
As soon as enough of her blood was on Tasuki, Azeruse took the vervain and threw it viciously into the fire, which turned silver-white. Focusing her ki through her sword, she motioned to the fire then to Tasuki's body.
No sooner said than done, a thin tendril of silvery white fire was being drawn from the fireplace, to Asura, and finally entering into Tasuki in all places where the girl's blood touched him. All through this procedure, Tasuki's kanji flared a bright crimson, and with Azeruse's blue character and the silver flame, the three lights turned the room a brilliant silver-violet shade. Soon after, Azeruse's wrist was still bleeding, but Tasuki's wounds were completely healed. She just stared at the blood, unmoving until Tasuki saw how much she was losing and tore his already torn shirt into strips, binding her wound tightly.
"Why did you do that?" shouted Tasuki, but his touch was gentle and his eyes were concerned. "Now you're the one who's hurt badly, and all because of me!!" What's wrong with this girl? She's supposed to be crying and sorry that she lost so much blood over her enemy.
Azeruse merely smiled. "I am only happy that my debt has been repaid, as I said it would be." She got up and opened the door to leave, but before she left, she said something which froze Tasuki motionless. "Matte, gomen Tasuki; demo, you are still of Suzaku and I am still of Seiryuu. When the battle commences, despite that I have healed you, a despite that you have tried to protect me... regretfully, we will be on opposite sides once more. When the fighting starts, I will not be able to hold back. I am truly sorry that we had to meet like this Tasuki, truly sorry."
"Azeruse, why?" whispered Tasuki, seeing her face forced to show composure. "We don't have to--"
"Yes, we do! Oyasumi nasai, Tasuki" replied Azeruse, she glanced back at hime, cast a spell which quenched the fire, and closed to door softly behind her.
Tasuki felt a strange burning sensation clouding his vision. A fiery line was being traced down both sides of his face. He wiped at them angrily and realized that he was crying. You're right, we do have to fight... but you don't know that we of the Suzaku are fighting for you. So, no matter what, it will either be a bitter loss or an even more bitter victory. If you consider it a triumph---.
He finally went to bed, but the thought of fighting the one person who he vowed to defend kept him awake. Finally, he was too exhausted, so the thought relinquished him and allowed him to sleep.
~*~*~*~*~
Dinner came a few hours later, and obviously, Azeruse and Tasuki were not present.
"Soi, where's Azeruse-san?" asked Amiboshi.
Soi tapped his head a few times in exasperation. "She's resting, of course. After that incident earlier on, and the blood she gave after--- I won't be surprised if she sleeps for the next year."
Yui whipped around to face Soi. That wasn't funny Soi... but it's true."
In the Suzaku side of the table, there was much to discuss.
Nuriko was trying to control his shock and his anger by snatching Ashitare's cloak and--- strangling the poor half-breed with it.
"How could the Priestess of Suzaku turn into the Seventh Seiryuu Seishi?" muttered Chiriko, for the first time in his life with his character, he was clueless. "I just don't understand it!!"
Chichiri fingered his staff idly. "I don't believe this 'Azeruse' was in any of the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho of the other countries, no da... I thought that the last seishi of Seiryuu was a being named 'Miboshi', na no da?"
"It didn't seem to be possible to be able to get a replacement seishi... ... ... unless..." Hotohori suddenly turned white.
Nuriko turned around. "You mean Seiryuu was given a choice for his final seishi?"
Chiriko replied. "That is possible, but it means that Kutou's Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho has been re-written, and the one who enabled Seiryuu to select his seventh seishi was... ... Taiitsukun??"
Chichiri tapped his fingers on the table and tried to loosen Nuriko's deathhold on Ashitare. Then, he looked at Tamahome, who was sitting beside Mitsukake with a lifeless look on his face. "It's very possible. But why would they pick Miaka-chan? They know that she's supposed to side with Suzaku, and why did Taiitsukun change the scroll, no da?"
Back at the other side of the table, another similar conference was occuring.
"Now what? Azeruse-chan and that red-haired seishi are both too weak to fight. Since they have a healer and ours is unable to fight, I consider us having a disadvantage. What are we going to do now?" asked Tomo, his feathers drooping with worry.
Yui thought it out. "Delay the battle."
"Yui-sama--" started Nakago.
"Postpone it until both of them recover. Azeruse wanted this to be a fair fight; she has saved our lives many times at the risk of her own. I won't break that promise... particularly to her."
Nakago nodded, knowing better than to argue with his priestess. Besides, he was beginning to get rather fond of the blue-haired, corundum-blue eyed girl. "It shall be done."
"Aniki, is something wrong? You're awfully silent, almost as if you're brooding."
"... It's nothing Shunkaku, I guess I'm just worried about our healer, that's all." replied Amiboshi.
"You're worried about Azeruse-san? Or are you worried about leaving her alone with that red-haired thief?"
Amiboshi heard enough as he quickly left the table to pay Azeruse a visit.
They don't understand... they don't understand at all... thought Amiboshi as he reached her room. "Azeruse? Can I come in?"
"Come in, Amiboshi." said a voice from inside the room. "The door's unlocked."
Amiboshi opened the door and looked around for the girl. He found her sitting on her bed and had Asura unsheathed on her lap. She was using another blade to sharpen the edge of her crimson sword.
"May I help you?"
"How are you feeling now?" asked Amiboshi, taking a seat next to her. He saw that she was pale, paler than normal.
"I'm fine, kind of tired, but fine." she said as she smiled painfully.
"Why did you do that?"
"Do what?" asked Azeruse as she tested the keenness of her blade.
Amiboshi eyed her sharply, unconvinced of her forgetfulness. "Why did you almost kill yourself twice today? Do you always have to put yourself in danger? Or is it just a repetitious coincidence?"
"..... He needed my help... all of you needed my help. You wouldn't understand, but those beings cannot be slain by normal powers; normal as in of this world. Without my kind or sorcery and sword skills, all of the seishi's powers combined won't be enough to even put a scratch on their skin. Also, healing is not even supposed to be granted to the Seiryuu Shichiseishi. The Suzaku healer can use his powers only once a day, but it gets him drained, he can recover with just a little rest. He also has a vial of divine water that her uses to regenerate things, but it is too precious to waste when there are other ways to heal. I however can heal as much as possible, but it comes from inside me. I have to draw my own blood non-stop, but sooner or later, I have to rest from blood-loss and then I can't even move for some time.
Both of them were quiet as the only sound in the room was the clashing of the blade against Asura. Azeruse then got up and tested Asura again. When she cut herself on the edge, she started to put away the sword and then got ready to check up on Tasuki again.
"I'm sorry Amiboshi, but I have to check on Tasuki."
Amiboshi glanced at her and stood up. "If you're going, then I'm coming too."
"Fine, let's go."
~*~*~*~*~
Tasuki remained awake, the thoughts have returned and were more adamant than ever. Azeruse was Miaka, Miaka is Azeruse... Damn, I should have made sure she got back to her room without any problems that
night. Now, it's too late. Miaka has been sealed inside the blue-haired Seiryuu Shichiseishi with all her past memories. She learned patience and is still kind; but now, she is more controlled. With that sword of hers, she can fight with those strange techniques.......... AND THEY FUCKING HURT LIKE HELL!!
A soft knocking emanated from his door. "Tasuki, can I come in? Are you awake?"
Azeruse? thought Tasuki. "Come in."
Azeruse came in, as did Amiboshi. Tasuki noticed that the green-haired flute player was giving him a look that was slightly laced with jealousy, sympathy, and plain distrust. The girl placed a hand on his wrist
gently to check for his pulse, this was enough to cause his face to flare and his heartbeat to speed up.
"Good. You seem to be healing quickly--- one of the advantages of being a seishi." declared Azeruse.
Tasuki shook his head as he place a hand over the girl's. "Forget about me for now, how are YOU doing?
My strength is returning, but it was through your loss of power. Moreover, you're a Seiryuu Seishi."
Amiboshi was getting more and more uncomfortable with the situation that Azeruse and Tasuki were in. "Azeruse, you also need your sleep. Let your patient rest right now, he'll be fine."
Azeruse nodded as she told Tasuki to go to sleep. Amiboshi led her back to her room and made sure she got ready for bed. When she was ready to go to sleep, Amiboshi sat at the edge of her bed and held her hand.
"We don't have to fight tomorrow, do we? Because I don't think me and Tasuki will be able to handle it yet." assessed Azeruse.
"No, Yui-sama delayed it until you two get better. Mostly because you are much too kind and just to be fighting with someone having an advantage." said Amiboshi.
"She's right. Amiboshi?" asked Azeruse thoughtfully.
"Yes?"
"How does it feel like to care for someone?"
I thought you would know that better that anyone else... thought the flutist. "I don't really know, but to me, it means protecting and loving that person with all your hear. You would sacrifice everything for that one special person, even your life."
"Really?" asked the girl as she smiled sleepily at the green-haired boy.
"Really. Now go to sleep." said Amiboshi as he started to play a melody on his flute.
Azeruse smiled in her sleep. 'Protecting and loving that person with all your heart...' how beautiful...
When Azeruse was finally asleep, Amiboshi stopped casting his spell. He looked at her, sleeping so peacefully and brushed her cerulean hair away from her eyes. He gave in to the urge and kissed her forehead gently. Then, he looked up and kissed her fully on the mouth, not so gently this time. Before he went any further, he stopped himself, shocked at what he tried to do. He took one last look at her face and left hurriedly to his own room.
Why did I do that? If she had been awake, I would have been cut through with her sword. Or maybe?? Amiboshi immediately had an insane thought as he cursed at himself for behaving like his desperate brother. "Dear Seiryuu, I am a fool."
Just before he reached his room, he saw a figure looking out the window in the hall. He quickly drew out his flute as he glanced around for any signs of ambush. The figure suddenly turned around and fixed a stare staright at Amiboshi.
_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_~_
Preview of Chapter 8
No Matter How Many Mistakes...
"Do you think that you are the only ones who need her? Miaka... or should I say Azeruse is the sole foundation of the Suzaku Shichiseishi and Konan!! Also, it wasn't even her choice to become a Seiryuu Seishi. Her character is 'light', how appropriate..." said Tasuki sardonically.
Amiboshi's eyes were now bright and hard with anger. "Yes, and if you take away that 'light', we would all be plunged into darkness."
Tasuki stared straight into Amiboshi's eyes, who stared back just as unflinchingly. Each of them saw determination, stubbornness, and the barely controlled rage of battle.
"Konan and the Suzaku Shichiseishi has already been immersed into darkness. You damn people got what you fuckin' wanted, we just came to take back what's rightfully ours, dammit!!" said Tasuki, showing both his fangs. "Besides, I don't think I can live without her..."
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Chapter Notes:
This fic beginning to get out of control yet, as in 'cliffhanger'?? Minna, say it at the same time... YES, THIS FIC HAS ALREADY BEEN OUT OF CONTROL!! Very good minna!! I am hyper today, 'cause I just ate a red m&m!!! Oh ho ho ho ho ho!!! Gomen ne, I still have a long way to go to finish this fic. Kami-sama, I still don't even know how I'm gonna it. Next chapter is for Anna-chan, for contradicting me so much that her optimism is rubbing off on me; and it is still dedicated to her even though she doesn't know too mcuh about FY. Sorry but this won't turn out to be a Amiboshi/Miaka thing, I have nothing against any couple in Fushigi Yuui, but I'm just partial to Miaka/Tasuki pairings. I'll put up the next chapter soon, as soon as I finish updating the rest of my site. I have been neglecting it, ne?? Gomenasai!! Hontou ni gomenasai you!! C+C at the normal place, or you could e-mail me if you just want to talk about my fic or something. Or if you want, you could send it to [email protected].
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Disclaimers:
The FY character do not belong to me. They belong to others who are not me. I am just a girl who falls asleep in class, has genkiness in her genes, has a very short temper, and writes fanfics behind her biology test paper. All in all, it means I have no cash... go look into the Introductions for the full list.
Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho^^Chapter Six^^Chapter Eight