Disclaimer: I don't own any of these Kawaii characters (even if I wanted to) because they belong to their creator Yuu Watase. So don't sue me, because I don't make any money out of this. I'm just borrowing them for awhile. I'm gonna return them as soon as I'm finished.
Author's notes: This is my first attempt to write a fic. So if you don't like to read a fic that has shounen ai in it. Please leave now! Spoilers for episodes 14, 22 and 33. If you don't like spoilers, please leave now. I dedicate this to Nuriko. My absolutely fav Seishi in the Fushigi Yuugi series!! Merry Christmas Nuriko!! Enjoy minna-san!
If I were to die today
By: Sano
"Ugh!" I wasn't able to move fast enough. Now this Beast's claws are ripping through my chest. No! I will not back down. I said to myself, I willed myself to kill this beast. I grabbed his cheekbones and back flipped over him. Wincing at the pain to get the claws out of my chest. I put a choke hold on his neck. Trying to snap his neck. I forced myself to use all my power to kill him.
"You will not hurt any of my friends", I shouted at him. Especially Miaka. I swore to Suzaku that I will protect her, when I first met her. I was so irritated at her. She was always hanging all over Hotohori-sama. But eventually, the others found out I was a man. I was so mortified when they glanced at me. Especially Hotohori-sama. But that was all behind us now. The others accepted me for who I am, and I appreciate that.
The Seiryuu Seishi in front of me growled, wanting to get free of my Death grip. I tightened my hold on him. I put one hand on top of his head, "Aaaahhhh!" I snapped his neck. Feeling his body go limp on my hands I let him go. I walked along the snow, laying a hand on my chest. I kneeled down on the snow. Thinking about my friends, family and Miaka.
"That was pretty stupid of me, going up against a Seiryuu Seishi all by myself." I spoke to no one in particular. But I felt like I was talking to my sister, Kourin. I smiled in spite of myself. I looked at the rock, blocking the doorway to the Shinzaho.
"Got to move that rock" I stood up. Feeling my blood drip on the sparkling white snow.
I stood before the rock, put my hands on either side of it and pulled it up, but it didn't even budge an inch. "Suzaku, please give me the strength" My voice hoarse, I pulled again, but this time my Gauntlets produced a bright red light. And I pulled the rock off the doorway of the Shinzaho, then something inside of me snapped. I threw the rock across the snow. I stared at the sky, seeing someone there. "Kourin…" I whispered, gazing at her. She still looked like an eight-year old girl, I guess when you die you won't age anymore. "How long have you been here?" I wanted to go up into the skies and hug her tight to me. I hear somewhere in the distance someone was calling me, but I couldn't hear it that much. I gazed to my right. Seeing Tamahome and Miaka running towards me, I didn't know that I was falling to the snow on my back until I felt the cold snow between my fingers, all of a sudden everything went black.
***Flashback***
Hotohori-sama and I were hiding behind some bushes waiting for the red-haired bandit to return for his fight with the leader of the bandits. Hotohori-sama was so worried about Miaka it made me worry so much too. I looked at him. I noticed a gash at his right shoulder. "Hotohori-sama! Your hurt!" I went to his right side to clean it quickly.
"Hai, I think I got that from the trap the bandit's made. I didn't notice it." He looked at the wound, touching it. Wincing slightly.
"Don't touch it!" I looked around for a lake or something that could clean the wound, since our clothes were dirty from the fight we had from the wolves that the red-haired bandit produced from the slips of paper that he held. I noticed a bandit walking over to us. I dropped into a fighting stance. Hotohori-sama redid his sword. The bandit went straight to the brown haired Seishi and slung an arm at his shoulders. "Oi Lady, your really pretty. How about having a drink with me?" The man was obviously drunk.
The brown haired Seishi stared at the bandit as if it was some plague. Then he looked at me warily, I smiled to myself. I could take a hint. I went over to the bandit and punched the man in the stomach. When the man went down I started to tug off the shirt of the bandit. Hotohori-sama looked at me strangely. I wanted to laugh out loud, did he think that I was gonna rape the bandit? I merely smiled at him and begun to rip the bandit's shirt into small pieces and when I got the cleanest strip I went over to his side. "Heika, I'm going to pull the cloth that has gotten stuck at the wound. So this is going to hurt a little okay?" I pulled at the cloth carefully. It was wrong to lie to the Emperor. This was going to hurt, a LOT.
"Ha-Hai" He closed his eyes, breathing in the fresh air around him. I couldn't help it but I stared at him. Noticing how the breeze fluttered his brown hair making a brown halo around the chisels of his angelic face and the way that-Stop that thought right there! I averted my gaze from him, instead. I just concentrated on pulling the cloth out of the wound, taking it out as painless as possible. I saw him wince a little. I was startled when he suddenly asked a question.
"Nuriko, did you ever feel irritated at the one you love because that person won't return your feelings?" He looked at me questioningly.
I waited a moment while I processed what he was saying, irritated at the one you love? "Well…" I drifted off, looking out into the woods. Never in a million years that I thought that I would be having this kind of conversation with Hotohori-sama. I looked at him and it suddenly occurred to me that he was waiting for an answer. I spoke softly. "Actually yes." I gave out a small laugh at his shocked statement. "Yes, but not the way that I would hate yo-" I stopped myself. Then continued to speak in the same soft voice. "Her. Because I love her, I want her to be happy." I cleared my throat "Even if it isn't with me." I finished with a soft sigh, I almost blurted out that I loved him.
The brown haired Seishi looked at me for a moment and I felt my breath caught in my throat. Every time I see him I feel my heart stop, like I couldn't breathe, because… Why does he have to so goddamn Beautiful, I gave out a wistful sigh before I could stop myself, he looked at me strangely. I tried to kill a blush by speaking up "Don't worry Heika-sama, I'm sure someday, some one will love you as much as you love Miaka now." I gave him a reassuring smile.
"Your right Nuriko, someday some one will love me like I love her." he picked a twig of the ground and started to twirl it in his hand. "Maybe if Tamahome doesn't come back, maybe Miaka can give me a chance". He broke the twig in half, "Well, if that doesn't happen. Maybe you can suggest some one who loves me, any suggestions?" We heard a rustle behind the bushes and he stood up quickly, "He's here." He took out his sword from it's sheath. Then he started to walk stealthily through the bushes. He didn't wait to hear my answer to his question, "Hai, as a matter I know someone, Ai shitteru Hotohori-sama…." I whispered softly behind his back.
***End of flashback***
I slowly opened my eyes. Squinting in the bright sunshine, I saw brown hair, it looked like Hotohori-sama, I cleared my vision, something wet dropped to my hand. I squinted my eyes again, I finally recognized the person crying in front of me. "Miaka…" My chest hurt. I felt like I was drowning from the blood swirling in my lungs, I tried to cough but it hurt to. I just held up my hand and she took it on her own. Her hand was so warm.
She looked behind her and I followed her gaze. "Tamahome!!" she cried. Tama-chan was lighting a fire, probably since our flare was already used,
"I'm lighting a signal fire to call Mitsukake" he was rubbing two stones together above little twigs in the snow. The twigs gave a hissing sound and black smoke slowly floated from it. "There!" He went over to me and placed my head on his lap. I tried to clear my throat and I gave out a wheezing sound. Tamahome clapped a little on my back, so as not to hurt me.
"You won't stop bleeding! You were stupid to fight that monster alone!" She gripped my hand tighter. Her tears falling like rain, I let go of her hand and tried to wipe away her tears. "Don't cry Miaka, I'll have to be sure to watch over the two of you…" I trailed off. I buried my face deeper into Tama-chan's chest. Glad to have them both here with me. Of course it wouldn't hurt to see all of the other Seishi here too.
"What are you saying" Miaka cried. "It's like I'll never see you again!" She gave out another wave of tears. "Your going to be around to protect me until we're old and gray." She buried her face in my hands.
"Don't worry, I'll always protect you no matter where you are." I felt sleep coming over to me, my eyelids drooping slowly.
"Just rest for a while Nuriko, Mitsukake will be here in a moment." He adjusted his seat on the snow so I could have a much more comfortable position. I felt fingers stroking my forehead, my eyes shut closed. I felt comfortable. I recited a silent prayer to Suzaku to protect my friends.
***Flash back***
"Ooshitootooshitooshitooshit!!" I heard the bandit curse behind the closed door. Chichiri with Tasuki and Miaka came back from Kotou palace all came back with sad expressions on their faces, especially Miaka.
I went inside the room and saw Tasuki lying on a bed while Mitsukake wrapped his arm with bandages. Chiriko was sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring at the bandit with an amused statement on his face. The sandy haired Seishi ran a hand through his hair.
I walked over to Chiriko and sat down beside him. "Hey Tasuki-chan, what did Tama-chan do to you?" I wanted to know what Tamahome did to Tasuki and why he betrayed us.
"That F***ing idiot just beat me up and when I was going to beat the bastard back that idiot Miaka begged me not to." He threw his good fist into the air and tried to pound the bed for emphasis but the other Seishi, Mitsukake, stopped him from doing so.
I heard the door open, and I saw Chichiri enter the room. "How is your arm Tasuki-kun no da?"
"It f****** hurts like s***, I wouldn't have to sit here and get bandaged up if that f****** bastard didn't try to kill me!" He bared his fangs. "Oi! What the f*** are you doing!" he shouted at Mitsukake.
I smiled as the healer spoke to the bandit in a monotone voice all the injuries he had. I faced Chichiri, "Do you know why Tamahome attacked Miaka and Tasuki?"
The monk took off his mask, whenever he took off his mask it always catches my attention. "Well, when he fought with Tasuki-kun, his Seishi symbol didn't appear no da."
"I don't understand, I thought he loved Miaka, it's not like Tamahome to act like this" my mind swept back to the incident earlier. Miaka and the other two Seishi appeared without Tamahome. Miaka fled to Hotohori-sama's arms immediately. I sighed. Then walked out of the room.
I walked along the Imperial courtyard, taking in the fresh air around me. I always loved walking in the imperial gardens, it always made me feel like I was with Kourin. I smiled as I recalled fond memories when we were little, every morning we would wake up early in the morning and go to the lake where we always played and picked out beautiful flowers and filled every vase in the house with them. Suddenly, I felt a small tug at my braid and turned around.
"Oi, Okama-chan. you've been staring into space like an idiot for the past 5 minutes" The fanged bandit said to me. He was trying hard to hide his snicker, but he was failing miserably. I was ready to smack him into a wall for calling me an 'Okama-chan' but for some reason, I didn't want to. I just gave him a warning stare and proceeded to walk through the garden.
Tasuki didn't seem bothered by my warning and continued teasing me. I was really fed up with his teasing and stopped walking. "Hey Tasuki-chan, why don't we visit Miaka? To check if she's okay" I said, indicating the incident earlier when Miaka almost drowned in a pond outside the palace.
Tasuki smiled, baring his fangs. "Sure, let's visit that baka!" he said, banging the staff he carried around for emphasis. I laughed at his antics, I was glad that Tasuki decided to come along with us. Despite the lie that he told us that the Seishi was dead. I always liked Tasuki's company, ganging up on the other Seishi together.
"Don't say that!" I scolded him, "If Hotohori-sama hears you, he'll slice you to bits!" I shrieked at him. Well, maybe not slice to bits, maybe he'll just scold him. I know that Hotohori-sama wouldn't hurt any of the other Seishi.
I slowed my pace as we were getting close to Miaka's room. I stopped, as I was about to knock at her door. I heard voices inside. A deep voice, Hotohori-sama's and a high pitched one, Miaka's. The door was slightly ajar so I peeked in. I froze in place. In each other's arms were Hotohori-sama and Miaka, locked in a passionate kiss. I backed away from the door like I was burned.
I turned to run away but Tasuki grabbed my arm before I could run away. "What's the matter Nuriko?" He asked, concern visible in his eyes. I shrugged his hand off and ran to my room. Tears running down my face, I heard Tasuki calling after me, but I ignored it and continued running. I reached my room and flopped down on my bed, I hugged my pillow to myself and stayed there for what seemed like hours, playing that scene over and over in my head.
As I peeked inside Miaka's room, I saw the two of them embracing and kissing. Hotohori-sama and Miaka together? But I thought Miaka love Tamahome? Arghh!! I don't know what to think anymore!! I know Hotohori-sama loved Miaka. But Miaka told him that she could only love Tamahome. And Hotohori-sama didn't push or force her. I stood up from the bed and walked over to my vanity table. I looked at myself in the mirror. My eyes were red and puffy and I had dark streaks on my cheeks. Probably from the make-up on my eyes. I heard a knock on my door and Tasuki's voice called behind the door.
"Oi Nuriko!! What happened! You ran like a madman out there!" He knocked again. I smiled, it was nice to know that someone cared for you. Even if it was a foul-mouthed bandit who always drank sake.
"Just a sec!" I shouted. I walked over to a basin of water that was resting on the corner of the room and washed my face till I was satisfied with my reflection. I opened the door and I saw Tasuki resting his head on a pole on the railing with a bottle of sake on his left hand and his staff on his right. "Konban wa Tasuki-chan" I said to him.
Tasuki looked up and stood up supported by his staff. "What the F*** happened out there before!?!" He said, walking up to me until we were almost nose-to-nose. I could smell the sake on his breath and took a few steps backward. "Have you been drinking Tasuki-chan?" I asked, allowing him enough space to come in.
Tasuki stumbled inside and sat in the bed. "Ahh, and don't call me that!" opening the bottle of sake and taking a gulp.
"Call you what Tasuki-chan?" I said, pretending to be oblivious to what he was referring to. I walked over to a chair at my vanity table and pulled it up in front of the red-haired bandit and sat down with a 'THUMP'.
"Stop using the F****** 'chan' already!!" He took another sip of his sake and burped. I looked at him with a playful 'disgusted out' look. When he stopped burping he grabbed one of my pillows of the headrest and hugged. I sighed; maybe I'll just get that pillow cleaned tomorrow, Tasuki getting the pillow to suck up the smell of the sake.
I changed the subject, "What are you doing here Tasuki-chan?" I always loved calling him that; I gave that nickname to Tamahome too. But I guess I won't be using that on Tamahome now. At the sudden thought of Tamahome my mind shifted back to Miaka and Hotohori. Tears sprang to my eyes and I looked away, blinking them back so they wouldn't spill. I thought I was over Hotohori-sama but I guess I was wrong.
Tasuki seemed startled by my sudden reaction and stood up and walked over to where I was and sat down on the floor next to my chair. His eyes changed from 'drunk' to 'concern', "What's wrong Nuriko?" He asked, "You just stormed out there when you peeked in Miaka's room? Why? Did you that Miaka didn't have any breasts and that she's really a man?" He laughed at his own joke. I blinked; his joke wasn't funny at all. Just the mention of Miaka's name made me flinch.
Tasuki choked from laughing and looked at me, noticing that I didn't laugh at his jokes, because normally I laugh at everything he does. "What's is the F****** matter already Nuriko?" He said with concern, I never thought that this bandit would ever care for anybody. I debated with myself for a moment if I should tell him what I saw. I was still fighting with myself when I felt that a hand was resting on my knee. I looked down; Tasuki was really concerned about me. I couldn't help it anymore. I let my tears run freely on their own accord. Tasuki stood up and wrapped his arms around me; I leaned on his chest and sobbed like a little baby. Tasuki was stroking my hair and whispering soothing words on my ear. "Shhh, shhh. Don't worry Nuriko, I'm here," he continued comforting me until I quieted down my sobs. I slowly pushed his hands away and wiped my face with the sleeves of my tunic.
"Gomen (sniff) Tasuki-chan, I don't want to (sniff) bother you with my (sniff) problems." I sniffed again and reached for a handkerchief on my vanity table. I dabbed at my eyes and wiped my running nose.
"Well what DID happen when we went to Miaka's room?" He took the bottle of sake of the bed and handed it to me, I pushed it away and tried to stop my tears from creating a huge puddle on the floor of my bedroom.
"W-well I (sniff) saw them k-k-kissing each ot(sniff)her and I just did the first thought that (sniff) entered my mind, I (sniff) ran away" I sniffed again, boy was this sniffing getting on my nerves. I looked over at Tasuki, checking for some reaction, but his face remained a mask. I was shocked when he started laughing like a maniac.
"Nani!! I thought I would be getting some sympathy from you!" I bopped him on the head with my pillow, forgetting to control my strength, the pillow exploded in a burst of feathers. A bump immediately formed on his head.
"Itaii!! That hurts Nuriko!!" he rubbed the section where I bopped him. "You should really keep your strength in check Nuriko, or maybe you're planning on killing me someday!" he was ready to punch me but I moved out of the way before his fist connected with my jaw.
"NANI!!" Tasuki cried as he went down onto the floor. I laughed at him. It was good that Tasuki was here. It felt good to talk to someone again.
"What the F*** are you laughing at Okama-chan!?!" What he said only made me laugh harder. "G-g-gomen Tasuki-chan, It's jut that y-you're so Kawaii when you're mad!" I brushed tears away from my eyes as Tasuki was getting up.
"Well now that you forgot all about your 'peeking in' incident, maybe I'll go see what the monk is doing ne?" He asked me, taking the bottle of sake from the table where he had put it earlier. He turned around and stopped at the doorway, as if on second thought, he turned back around and walked up to me and kissed my forehead softly. Like a brother would do for a sister. Or more of a brother anyway. I was reeling from shock at the bandit's sudden display of emotion when he went out the door with an embarrassed 'ja' and closed the door. It felt good that someone nearby loves or cares for you.
Even if it isn't Hotohori-sama.
***End of Flashback***
I blinked my eyes as I felt something warm against my chest. I heard some whispering beside my ear. "Nuriko, Mitsukake's here to heal you" I heard Miaka's voice. I turned my head as I heard other voices.
"S*** Nuriko! You defeated that Seiryuu Seishi all by yourself!!" Tasuki had an amazed look he was looking at me over Mitsukake's shoulder. Chichiri sat down on the snow beside Chiriko who was studying me with curious eyes. He was too young to see so much blood. "You were very lucky Nuriko-san no da" The monk had his staff planted on the snow and he was holding the beads surrounding his neck and was slowly making a shield around us.
"Yes, very lucky indeed Nuriko-san, it was fortunate that we got here quickly or we wouldn't be talking to you anymore." He still had his hand above my chest, green light was emanating from it and I was basking in its warm glow. Slowly, the green light surrounded me and for a moment a girl floated up to me and gently hugged me. It was Kourin, I laid my hand on her cheek, waiting for her to say something.
"It's not you're time yet 'Niichan, I'll come for you when the time comes ne?" She kissed my cheek and slowly disappeared. I was touching my cheek where Kourin kissed me and smiled. Well, maybe when the time comes, maybe my imouto will come for me. The green light faded and I touched my chest, my hand only met the soft fabric of my shirt. "Huh? All of a sudden I'm healed" I tried to stand up but I felt lightheaded and fell down again with a thump.
"Nuriko, don't stand up yet. You've lost so much blood, It will take a while for you to regain you're strength." The healer stood up and closed the healing jar Taitsukun gave him. Tasuki walked to me and offered me a staff that looked suspiciously like a tree branch.
"Now you're the one who will be walking around with a staff now" The bandit laughed and waved his Tessen around. I whacked him on the side of his head, I didn't check my strength, but Tasuki didn't even budge.
"Nani? I didn't fall over?" Tasuki looked at me with a curious look. And looked back at Mitsukake. "Hey Mitsukake, I didn't fall over".
Mitsukake remained silent for a moment. "It's because Nuriko-san lost so much blood, He's to weak that his Seishi powers don't work, You'll have to rest for a while Nuriko-san or you're condition may worsen" With that, the silent healer turned his back and walked over to Chiriko, who was still looking at the blood on the snow.
"Don't worry Tasuki-chan, after a few days I'll pound you to a wall, just like before" I smiled sweetly at him. And walked over to Miaka and wiped her remaining tears. "Daijoubo Miaka?" Miaka stared at me for a moment and Hugged me tightly. I hugged her back.
'I-I thought y-you were gonna die in there, I'm glad y-you're safe" I was stroking her back. I was glad that I didn't leave her. And my friends, I love my friends and I'm gonna stay here with them until I'm old, but of course, still beautiful.
And I intend to stay that way.
***Owari***
Sano: Waiii!!! My first fic finished!! I'm a bad writer me? I just felt like I wanted to write a fic about Nuriko not dying. I think I'll make a 'part 2' complaints n comments welcome at marga_kourin@yahoo.com and flames too. I would like to hear what you think about my first fic.
Nuriko: Well at least I didn't die in this fic. Oi Sano. There are lots of fics out there with Tasuki kissing me on the forehead. It's just one cliché' after the other!
Sano: Ano…I just thought that it was kind of sweet Tasuki kissing your forehead and all. And I did dedicate this to you for Christmas. Even if I'm not a good writer, I'm gonna stop this now so I can finish my X-mas shopping. C'mon Nuriko, you can help me pick out a gift for all the other seishi.
(And the two of them walk off to shop for Christmas gifts.)
****
I just wanted to talk to Nuriko about my fic and he helped me finish my shopping. But I don't own him or the other Seishi mentioned here so don't sue me ne? Merry Christmas Nuriko!! From one of your many fans, Sano. And to minna-san too!!
Dec 23, 2001
Sano
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