Beginning notes:
The names of two of these characters, I admit could be much better, but
I am not an expert in Chineese, nor in Japanese, I've only taken 2
semesters of it, so I could not come up with better "real names" for
them.
This is an alternate universe fic and it adds quite a bit of new
characters into the FY series, but it will not interrupt the main plot
of FY for a while, and even then cause only small tremors until an
obvious point in time. This fanfic deals with the reappearance, yes I'm
aware one has come before, of >A< Byakko no Miko (Priestess of Byakko
for any in need of translation)
If anyone would like to be a prereader, I'd be glad to have you, but be
advised that future chapters of this fanfic may contain spoilers of the
FY TV series episodes. If you know what happens, have seen it all or
just don't care, just send me an e-mail. I really would like someone who
at least has some experience of seeing the three living Byakko seishi in
tv series or manga, but, of course, anyone is welcome.
This has been around the FY fanfic ml so hopefully not too many edits
are necessary. I'm beginning work on Ch. 2.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fushigi Yuugi: The Return of the White Tiger
By Wesley Bridges
Based upon the Fushigi Yuugi series and characters by Yu Watasei
Chapter 1: A Tiger Roams in Foriegn Lands
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*********************************************************
*This takes place maybe an hour after Miaka returns *
*from the Universe of the Four Gods (Episode 8) *
*********************************************************
The National Library was quiet in the early evening. Akiya
Byasune, a young girl about 164 cm tall with flaming red hair
and green eyes, walked up the steps to the main entrance. She
worked at the library part time, and very few hours, only 6 a
week, but she enjoyed it, and often spent time there before and
after work to study. Akiya opened the doors and walked up to the
counter to sign in.
"Oh! Hello, Akiya," the librarian said as she approached "are
you working today?"
"Yes, Miss Shinami." Akiya replied signing her name in a book.
Miss Shinami was the Byasune family's neighbor and had been close
to Akiya ever since her mother died when she was five years old.
She had always helped Akiya, and lent an ear when she needed some
motherly advice. Not being married, herself, Miss Shinami looked
out for Akiya from time to time, and even told her about the job
at the library.
"Are you still studying for your exams?" Miss Shinami asked
"Yes, but I only have a few more subjects I need to work on
before I'm ready to take them."
"Just don't overwork yourself. You wouldn't want to repeat what
happened when you were doing your last research project."
"Oh don't worry," Akiya said a sweatdrop forming on her, "I
won't"
"Good," Miss Shinami said gathering a bunch of books and folders.
"These need to get filed in the Important Documents Room. You
remember how to sort them?"
"Yes, I remember. I'll take them right now." Akiya said taking
the materials and skipping off to file them.
The Important Documents room was full of the strange smell of
stale pages that had been sitting for a long time. To Akiya's
knowlege, few had entered this room since the day she started,
yet something seemed different about it. As she filed the materials
away, she noticed a book on the floor.
*What's this doing on the floor?* Akiya thought picking the book
up. *The Universe of the Four Gods? What's a book like this doing
here?*
Akiya was just about to put the book back on the shelf, when
curiosity got the better of her. She pulled the book back, opened
it, and began to read. Suddenly, the book emitted a blingind white
light. Akiya shileded her eyes with one hand, but to no avail. The
light seemed to envelop her as the book seemed to get larger before
her eyes. Akiya felt like she was falling for an eterninty, then
all went black.
*****************************************************************
The streets of the capital city of Sairo, the western empire, were
busy. The sun was setting and the street vendors were packing up
ready to brave the surrounding desert and dry steppes that made
up Sairo. Though the arid and desolate climate of Sairo was hard
on many families that lived in the area, the Temple of Byakko
stood as a reminder to the people of their protector and even
though times were tough, they always had somewhere they could turn
to for aid, if the seishi were able.
In a small room of the temple, a couple sat with a young child
upon a large stone table. Soon a young girl entered the room
wearing a white and black dress with a white tiger over her stomach
area.
"Sorry for the wait," the girl said tieing her long blue hair back.
"It is alright, Ekie-sama," The man said softly "I only hope
you can help us."
Ekie looked at the child upon the table, her eyes quivering with
worry.
*He's so young* she thought, "H..how did he die?" she asked the
man
"He grew very sick. Our village doctor didn't have the medicine
to treat him..." the man replied
Ekie untied a thin black ribbon that held the tiger to her dress
revealing a small portion of her stomach. She concentrated for
several minutes, then a character appeared where the tiger once
was. A blue aura formed around Ekie, then a soft glow around the
child. A blast of white energy emitted from the character, then
the glow and the character faded. Ekie retied the ribbon and the
room grew quiet.
"Daddy?" The child said after a few moments.
"Yes, I'm here" the man said happily.
The couple cried joyfully, and Ekie too tried to hold in her
joy.
"Thank you Ekie-seishi. How can we repay you?"
"That's not necessary," Ekie said, "If anything... please call
me Eki."
"Thank you Eki-sama" the man said as they left, child in hand.
*How am I ever going to get used to formality?* Eki asked herself
A deep grumbling came from Ekie's stomach.
*Aww.. I'm hungry, maybe if I slip away...*
"Ekie-sama?" a man asked coming in carrying a little girl.
"Yes?" Eki said freezing in position. *Another child.* she
thought. Eki's mind went through several rotations of food
and girl, but the girl won by a landslide, and she prepared
to bring happiness to another family.
Outside the Temple, at a small restaurant, a young man, perhaps
in his mid teens, sat at a table. He wore clothing resembling those
of ninja attire, but all white. Across his back, two long thin
swords hung in their sheaths. A few minutes passed, and a man came
from the back room and approached him.
"May I take your order?" The man asked prepared to write.
"You may as well start cooking it," the youth said opening a
menu, "I'll have this, then I'll need an order of.. all of these,"
he said sweeping by six items or so, "one of this, this and this
one too."
The man's eyes bulged nearly a foot out of his eye sockets after
the order was completed.
"Don't worry," the youth said smiling slightly, "the rest of the
army will be here soon, and I assure you I have enough to cover
the costs"
Seemingly satisfied, the man finished writing and went back into
the room behind the dining area. About fifteen minutes later, the
door opened and Eki entered the restaurant.
"Kagatsu!" She said spotting the young man in white.
"Good Evening." he said standing up
"Why weren't you at the temple?" Eki asked
"You were late, so I figured you'd be hungry so I came here and
ordered. You knew where to find me so what's the problem?" Kagatsu
answered.
"Oh. I thought you and Tatara may have had another fight."
"No." Kagatsu said lowering his head slightly
"Why is it that you two fight so much?"
"My reason is to hard to explain. I don't know his reasons."
"Yes you do" Eki said an unamused expression on her face, "Falling
asleep whenever he talks about Byakko no Miko makes him think you
are dishonoring his memory of her."
"His stories hold no interest for me. Its easier for me to listen
to them hearing them from you."
"Huh?" Eki said blushing slightly, but the next instant everything
was forgotten as her over-exaggerated super-deformed expression
signaled that food was coming. Eki said nothing more as all her
energies now focused into devouring the plates of food before her.
*At least she doesn't stuff it all down at once. If she did, I'd
need to worry at every meal.* Kagatsu thought
After the meal, Kagatsu paid the bill then the two walked out
onto the streets of the city.
"Kagatsu..." Eki said after a moment
"What is it?"
"Um... nevermind its not important."
*Huh?* Kagatsu thought looking over to Eki. *Why does she look
so... sad?* "You sure?" he asked her.
"Yeah... Its getting late. I'd better get going home."
"Alright."
"Good Night," She said suddenly much more cheerful.
"Good Night." Kagatsu replied.
Eki ran down the darkening streets, turned waved, then rushed off.
*I wonder if she's ok...* Kagatsu thought heading home.
That night while he slept, Kagatsu had a strange dream. He was
walking in the mountain area on the borders of Konan and Sairo
when a white tiger bagan walking toward the pass. The tiger
walked leisurely not appearing to mean anything harm, when a
net came from nowhere and entangled it. Not seeing anyone around,
Kagatsu freed the tiger which jumped past him and scratched him
on the right shoulder. Instead of pain, which he expected to feel,
a strange gentle warmth eminated from the scratch. The sensation
ended as did the dream as Kagatsu woke up in the middle of the
night.
*That was an odd dream... but for some reason... it seems more
than a dream* Kagatsu thought, *Why is it that I have this
strange urge to go to that place? Is something going to happen?
Why me?*
Left with only one option to answer his questions, Kagatsu packed
some things and without a word walked out into the night heading
southeast to the Konan Empire.
*****************************************************************
When Akiya's eyes opened, she saw a pair of hands placing a
cool cloth over her head.
"Ah, you are awake." A man's voice said.
Akiya moved her head to see an elderly gentleman smiling kindly
at her.
"Who are you? Where am I? How.. how did I get here? " Akiya asked
sitting up. Akiya became very light headed then slumped back down.
"Take it easy. I am Machi, a historian of sorts. I was traveling
back from Sairo when I saw you by the side of the road. You had
a pretty bad head injury. I brought you here, and have been taking
care of your injuries for the past four days." he replied
"Four days?! Sairo?! I..."
*Sairo? I've never even heard of it! Where am I?* Akiya thought
then she remembered the passage she read, *for once the page is
turned, the story will become real...* *Become real?* Akiya thought
again *I'm... It can't be... I'm in the book?! How.. is that
possible?*
"Sairo is the Empire west of here. You are in Konan now. Its ok,
just get some rest. Is there anything I can get you?"
As if on cue, Akiya's stomach grumbled and contorted.
"Ah, if it wouldn't be too much trouble..."
"Its perfectly alright. I haven't had a guest in some time now.
I'll prepare some dinner straight away. You stay here and get some
sleep. Perhaps once you're feeling better, you can tell me a bit
about yourself."
"Thank you." Akiya said
"Its my pleasure."
A few moments later, Akiya's disoriented body finally got used to
walking again. She found her way to the kitchen area, where Machi
was preparing to serve rice, fish and some other meats.
"Are you feeling better?" Machi asked.
"Yes, much, thank you." Akiya answered.
"Good, sit, sit and I'll get everything served right away."
Akiya sat, and Machi served the food and the two ate. Akiya told
Machi as much as she thought he would listen to, which was much
more than she thought.
"So, you have come here from another world." Machi said.
Akiya nodded slowly not knowing exactly what to say or whether
Machi believed her or not.
"There is not much I can do for you, I'm afraid. Hotohori-sama,
the emperor of Konan, and Suzaku no Miko, they may be able to help."
"Suzaku no Miko?" Akiya asked curious.
"Yes, like you she is destined to be one from another world. She
seeks to gather the seven stars of Suzaku and summon Suzaku to
protect Konan."
"Where can I find them?"
"Tomorrow I will take you to the capital. There you shall meet
both of them, and see if they can aid you."
"Thank you, how can I repay you?"
"Think nothing of it."
*****************************************************************
"Before Suzaku no Miko began her trip to find Tamahome," Keisuke
read from the book in his hands, "a girl about her age came to
the palace requesting an audience for her and Hotohori. They
agreed to the request once it was learned that this girl, too, was
not of their world. The girl gave Hotohori and Suzaku no Miko the
account of how she found herself at the home of the elderly man
Machi, who told her to request help from them. Hotohori told her
that Konan itself could offer little help as they needed to find
the rest of thier seven Seishi, but the Western Empire, Sairo,
might be able to grant her the assistance she needed. Suzako no
Miko requested that Hotohori send a small escort with her to see
her safely to Sairo, and the girl left on horseback guarded by
four guards."
*****************************************************************
In the mountains on the border of Konan and Sairo, Kagatsu hiked
the trails trying to find the spot he saw in his dream. He had
been looking for it for the past two days, and had never thought
the range was that big to begin with. Crossing a high ridge,
Kagatsu looked down and finally saw what he was looking for, a
branch off of the main road leading up the mountian pass. Coming
up the road, Kagatsu saw five horses and riders, four Konan guards
and one strangely dressed girl.
*Konan Guards?* Kagatsu thought *What are they coming to Sairo
for? And who is that girl with them?*
Kagatsu followed the group's path up the mountains and saw a large
group of bandits, numbers in the twenties perhaps, hiding amongst
the rocks and thick underbrush on the Konan side of the mountains.
The bandits watched the group very closely, as if they were waiting
for them.
*Bandits!* Kagatsu thought *A lot of them too. They might need
some help*
Kagatsu began decending the mountian side keeping a close eye
on the guards and the girl. As they drew close to the bandits,
the girl's horse tripped throwing the girl in front of it. A net
then pulled up leaving the girl hanging. The four guards rode over
to the net and surrounded it as the bandits jumped from the bushes
"Well, well, well," the leader of the bandits said, "Looks like
we got ourselves a might fine catch, eh boys?"
The other bandits roared in approval
"But on the other hand, we have these big tough guards from Konan.
Are we going to let them take back our prize?"
"NO!" the others roared.
"Get her, men. If the guards get in your way, kill them!"
"I'm afraid I can't let that happen." Kagatsu said coming down
the pass.
"And who are you?" the bandit leader sneered
"I could tell you, but I don't feel like it."
"Big words that will cost you your life."
"We'll see about that."
"You guys, come with me and get the girl." the leader said
pointing to a group of twelve or so, "the rest of you teach our
uninvited guest a lesson."
Six of the bandits split off the main group and drew their swords
to fight Kagatsu.
"Six versus one?" Kagatsu said to his opponents.
"The boss felt generous of your abilities. You won't last long
against us." one of the bandits jeered.
"Then what are you waiting for?"
The six bandits Kagatsu. Kagatsu smiled a bit taking three throwing
stars out and tossing them into the oncoming bandits. The first
one luckily dived into the throat of one bandit killing him
instantly, the second dug into the leg of another causing him to
trip under the weakened leg. The third grazed the arm of another
bandit, but did no major harm.
The four remaining bore down on Kagatsu. Just as they were about
to attack, however, Kagatsu faded from existence.
"Huh?! Where'd he go?" One of the bandits asked.
"He's got to be here somewhere." another answered.
Two arcs of light shone as they met the back of a bandit
killing him. Kagatsu reappeared behind him, and the others
bore down on him. Kagatsu parried the sword of the first with
one of his and thrust his second into his unguarded chest.
"You need to learn to fight someone with two swords," Kagatsu
told the two bandits left standing, "but I'll leave you two. I'll
need some answers after I've delt with your buddies."
Kagatsu threw a small ball at the two bandits with exploded with
some sort of gas. Both bandits fell to the ground.
"That ought to hold you there for a while." Kagatsu said as
he dashed off to the guards.
*****************************************************************
The guards had the upper hand on horseback to the bandits on
foot. Three bandits already lay slain from the guards' blades.
One guard charged his horse into the oncoming bandits, but one
of them stabbed the horse causing it to reel over crushing the
guard and the bandit in the process. The ringing of steel on
steel echoed throught the area as the three guards fended off the
bandits.
From behind, three stars embedded themselves in the bandits near
the guards. Distracted by the unexpected attack, the bandits were
easily slain by the guards.
"What?" The bandit leader said looking from the direction of the
stars.
"Remember me?" Kagatsu said
"Looks like I underestimated you. Be warned it will not happen
again."
"We'll see" Kagatsu said as he entered the fray.
As the fight went on, several stars entered the field a couple
grazing Kagatsu.
"Hey. I'm on your side!" Kagatsu told the guards thinking they
attacked.
A rain of stars came from the bushes by the bandits. Several stars
hit one of the guards, catching him by surprise. Kagatsu swore
under his breath as four ninjas jumped from the brush. He took
out some stars and tossed them at the branch holding the net
with Akiya.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Akiya said crashing down.
"Take the girl and move on!" Kagatsu said to the guards.
A guard went over and helped Akiya onto his horse.
"But.." Akiya protested
"I'll catch up with you later. Go now!"
The guards rode off up the pass.
"You really think you can beat all of us?" The bandit leader
sneered.
"You have not bore witness to my full ability." Kagatsu said
softly "Now, you'll get that opportunity."
"Oh, will I?" The bandit leader asked sarcastically. "Just what
are you going to do to us, little man?"
"This..." Kagatsu said concentrating, his swords ready for attack
"Hasukii Shiyan!"
*****************************************************************
From behind them, the guards and Akiya saw a flash of white light
followed by a blasting sound. The horses paniced slightly, but
were soon calmed down. Several more simmilar flashes and sounds
followed in rapid succession.
"Go back!" Akiya told a guard
"But Hotohori-sama..." the guard protested
"If you don't go back there, I'll walk there myself!"
Seeing that this was going to head nowhere quickly, the guard
gave into Akiya's request and they returned. When they returned
from the mountain pass, Kagatsu was sitting on the ground bandaging
his shoulder, and legs from some nasty cuts.
"Aren't you supposed to be a little father away than this by
now?" Kagatsu asked
"I wasn't going to let someone I don't even know die for my sake"
Akiya answered sharply getting off the horse.
"I'm not dead, am I?"
"No, but you're bleeding pretty bad."
"I'll live."
"Why did you help me, even though we've never met..."
"Kagatsu."
"Huh?" Akiya asked confused.
"You seemed to be searching for a name. That's my name, Kagatsu"
"Oh.. I'm Akiya."
"So, what brings you to Sairo, Akiya?"
Akiya gave a brief synopsis of the events bringing her on this
trip, and how Suzaku no Miko and Emperor Hotohori told her to
come here.
*Suzaku no Miko, eh? If Emperor Hotohori or Suzaku no Miko
couldn't help her, why think Byakko's Seishi could?* Kagatsu
thought *Perhaps... no... she couldn't... do they think she
could be... Byakko no Miko? She looks nothing like the paintings
in the temple... I guess there's only one way to find out...*
"Is there anything wrong?" Akiya asked.
"No, nothing's wrong. I know just where to go."
"Good! Here, let me help you up."
Akiya grabbed Kagatsu's hand and pulled him up.
"Ouch!" Kagatsu said wincing slightly and rubbing his right
shoulder.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to make it worse"
"You didn't. It's bandaged securely and I've put an herbal extract
on the bandages to help it heal, now let's get moving before
anyone comes to check on these guys."
Kagatsu found a horse left by one of the guards, Akiya was helped
onto one of the guard's horse and the four traveled up the mountain
pass on the way to Sairo.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
End Episode 1
C&C is welcome, I do not like being flamed, so don't flame me.
by the way in case any of you have ever read my Ranma 1/2 fic, The
Dragon's Dawning, it is being continued. Episode 13 has been posted as
well as Interludes I and II by my cousin. They may be found
at:
http://members.xoom.com/Souldrake/ranmadrag.htm
If you wanna check out my Fushigi Yuugi site which is currently up, but
still under construction, it is at:
http://members.xoom.com/Souldrake/Fushigi/index.htm
hope you like my fic(s) as much as I enjoy writing them (or better for
those times I'm not to eager to write)
SD
--
"May the journey through the darkness give you comfort
in the presence of the everlasting light"
-The Mighty SoulDrake