Well, I looked over it, and made some notes on what to change to myself,
but since I'm going to be busy
for the next week, I'll post this now, get the C&Cs, and then
concentrate on rewriting Chapters 1-3
stressing fuller dialogue, better details, and descriptions, etc.
Hopefully when the rewrites come around, they'll be much improved.
Thanks to all who have read so far.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fushigi Yuugi: The Return of the White Tiger
By: Wesley Bridges
Based upon the Fushigi Yuugi series and characters by Yu Watasei

  *********************************************
  * This takes place right after my Ch.2, but              *
  * around Episode 13 or so in the main series         *
  *********************************************

Chapter 3: A Tiger's Ransom in Honor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Kagatsu continued to stare at the night sky's reflection in the
 clear spring waters. Soon, Eki's reflection appeared in the water
 looking back at him.

 "Something wrong, Kagatsu?" Eki asked softly, her eyes wide with
 concern.

 "Its nothing to worry about." Kagatsu replied so

 "You sure seem to be worried about something."

 "Eki..."

 "Yes? What is it?"

 "We've known each other since were were five, and since then we've
 never held anything back from each other."

 "Yeah, so, is there something about you that worries you?"

 "For a while now... there have been things I've kept hidden about
 myself. I didn't want anyone to get involved with them, and now
 I think that my past is catching up with me."

 "So, what is it? Tell me."

 "I can't." Kagatsu replied with a sigh. "Not yet. Once I sever
 this last tie I have to the secrets I have been keeping all these
 years... then I can."

 "What made you go on the trip to find Akiya?" Eki asked suddenly
 changing the topic.

 "I... I dunno really... I just... somehow I just felt I needed to
 go there." Kagatsu replied uneasily.

 "I would have gone with you, you know. I... I was worried when
 I didn't see you around."

 "I know. Don't worry. I won't do it again, alright?"

 "Its not just that... its... I... well..." Eki said, her face
 beginning to redden.

 "Are you alright, Eki?" Kagatsu asked after a pause.

 "Huh?! Um... yeah. Its, ah... Its late. I should probably get
 home."

 "Alright. Good night."

 "Good night" Eki said then walked away.

 It wasn't very long after Eki passed out of sight, when a loud
 scream reached Kagatsu's ears.

 *Eki?* Kagatsu thought jumping to his feet.

 Kagatsu ran as fast as he could towards the source of the scream.
 As he arrived, 7 men on horseback had caught Eki and were dragging
 her into some sort of wooden wagon.

 "Heh, heh, heh." one of the men said to Eki as the tossed her into
 the wagon and locked the door. "Now you two just sit tight and
 enjoy the ride."

 Eki looked around the wagon to see Akiya bound and gagged just like
 she was. Her eyes widened with surprise and the two struggled to
 sit up. Suddenly, four men fell off their horses one after another

 "Get back to the hideout with the girls!" the man ordered the
 wagon driver, and the horses lurched forward and galloped away.

 Kagatsu stopped as the wagon quickly went over the dunes of the
 desert out of sight.

 "You must be Shenchi." The man said to Kagatsu

 "Where are you taking her?"

 "Ha,ha, ha." the man bellowed. "That information I'm sure you
 know. If you want the GIRLS back, come to the den just after
 sundown tomorrow. You do remember the way, don't you?"

 "Girls? Who else have you drawn into this?"

 "Girls from other worlds should not be roaming the streets of
 unfamiliar lands late at night, alone."

 "Akiya... If you hurt either one of them, I assure you that you
 will regret it."

 "Save your strength. Remember where I told you to go. Don't be
 late, come alone, if you don't the blue haired one will die. The
 other is needed for our master's business arrangements in the east"

 With that, the man rode off after the wagon.

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

 The next afternoon, Kagatsu found himself in the Grand Hall of the
 Imperial Palace. Kagatsu walked down the carpeting and knelt
 down before the Emperor sitting in his seat.

 "You know why I have summoned you here, Kagatsu?"

 "Yes, your excelency. Byakko no Miko and one of the seishi are
 missing."

 "Yes. When did this information become presented to you?"

 "Last night, I was with the Seishi, Eki. I heard her scream as
 she was going home. I saw her being drawn away in a wagon. I later
 learned Byakko no Miko was with her."

 "I see. Do you have any information upon their whereabouts?"

 "Yes, your excelency. I know where they are being held. I have
 however, a request of you since it concerns their safety."

 "And what is this request?"

 "Please, I wish you to let me go alone. I was told their lives will
 depend on that. I have delt with their captors before. I feel
 confident that I can handle this matter."

 "I appreciate your concern, Kagatsu, but I believe this task is
 better suited for the three seishi to perform. They are more
 capable to handle any opposing forces. I see no reason to send you
 alone, but there is ample reason to send you if you have knowledge
 of their whereabouts and what to expect of them."

 "But, your excelency, the seishi are..."

 "The seishi have already informed me they are up to the task of
 protecting Byakko no Miko. Last night she snuck out of the temple
 without their knowledge."

 "But these people will keep their word. If they know I am not
 alone, they will kill them."

 "I understand your concern, but it is the seishis job to protect
 Byakko no Miko, not yours. If you are that concerned, give the
 seishi all the information you have and let them handle the
 situation."

 "But, your excelency."

 "I have made my decision. You are free to go."

 Two guards approached Kagatsu on either side of him. Kagatsu
 got up and left the Grand hall quickly, and very mad.

 "You know, Kagatsu." A female voice said to him as he exited.
 "You don't have to play hero all the time."

 "Who...?" Kagatsu asked turning around.

 A young woman, perhaps in her late teens to early twenties,
 walked out from the back wall, her long white hair wrapped in
 two circles on the side of her head.

 "Who are you?" Kagatsu asked.

 "We've met before, but I looked different then. The Emperor is
 right, you know. It is our sworn duty to protect the Miko, you
 need not feel so responsible."

 "It can't... be... Su... Su... Subaru?" Kagatsu said completely
 boggled.

 Subaru nodded, smiling gently.

 "But... how?"

 "While we were discussing how to protect the Miko with the limits
 of our age, Akiya began murmuring something in her sleep. She
 said, that the combined powers of Ekie, and myself could actually
 reverse aging without side effects. My ability changes physical
 appearance, and maintains appearance in Tatara's case, but Ekie's
 ability to restore life, revitalized our conditions, making us
 much more capable of travel, and protecting Akiya."

 "So, all of you are..."

 "Yes, we're all much younger now."

 "I see... but... there is more to this situation than I can
 explain right now. I am involved. They have been targeting Akiya
 since we entered Sairo. Eki was taken because of me, to get me
 to come to their turf."

 "Why do they need you?"

 "Its personal. I need to go, alone."

 "Kagatsu. I understand that you want to go alone, because you are
 responsible for this, but let me assure you, that we can handle
 this. Just tell us where to go, we'll get Eki and Akiya back."

 "Subaru... I... I know I have no place asking, but please. One
 hour."

 "Huh?"

 "The place where Akiya and Eki are being held is not far from here.
 Give me until one hour after sundown. If I am not back by then
 I will have made arrangements for you to know exactly where they
 are being held. You will be fully informed. I just need one hour
 to settle my affairs and get them out of there."

 "I don't know." Subaru said thinking about the request. "How can
 we be sure you will give us correct information?"

 "I may have been a pest when I was younger, but believe me, I may
 avoid questions, but I will not lie. Trust me, please."

 "Alright. I'll convince Tokaki and Tatara to give you an hour,
 but if you don't come through, you'll have to worry a lot more
 about coming back."

 "Thank you." Kagatsu said, then left quickly.

 Subaru stood at the steps leading up to the palace watching
 Kagatsu leave the grounds as the sun sunk low in the sky. She had
 her doubts about Kagatsu, but something told her to have faith
 in him. After he was out of sight, Subaru headed on her way to the
 temple.

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

 "I'm home." Kagatsu said opening the door to a small house at the
 western side of the city.

 "Well, have a nice long chat with the Emperor?" his father said
 crushing some herbs with a motar and pestle.

 "Yes, father, and a seishi."

 "You still haven't told them, have you?"

 "No... I haven't."

 "The priestess has returned, you even brought her here, yet you
 haven't told her, you've been decieving the other four seishi
 ever since you came here. Why, Kagatsu, why?"

 "When I was five it was because of lost hopes. Now its because of
 them. You know how they tried to ruin my life, and now they've
 found me again!"

 "The clan of the Desert Lotus..."

 "Yeah." Kagatsu said dully.

 "You remind me of my father's stories of my grandfather."

 "How so?"

 "It seems he joined a clan of ninjas to stop the evil actions of
 true clans. His clan, however, was legitimate. He used his abilities
 to help the people, and for his actions, a priest presented him
 with two blades that were blessed and cooled from their forges
 with holy water. These swords have been passed down from him
 to his son, and from my father to me. Now, it is time for me to
 hand them to you."

 "But..."

 "Now, now. I'm a doctor. I have no use for them. They'll do you
 better. They don't have any strong power within them, but surely
 combined with your seishi abilities, you can use your powers
 easier. Take them and use them well, and who knows. Perhaps you
 will be blessed with blades more powerful than these."

 "Thank you, father. I will take good care of them."

 "I know you will." His father said handing Kagatsu a flat black
 case from under the table where he worked.

 Kagatsu opened the case to see the two katanas in their scabbard.
 He took one out of the case and took out the scabbard revealing
 a brightly shining katana that gleamed with a blinding white light.
 Kagatsu put it back in the scabbard and took the two katanas.

 "Father, before I go. Could I ask you a favor?"

 "What is it?"

 "If I am not back three quarters of an hour from after sundown,
 will you deliver this to the temple?" Kagatsu asked handing his
 father several folded sheets of paper.

 "Of course I will."

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

 As the sun was just beginning to sink below the horizon, Kagatsu
 rode through the desert stopping at a rock formation overlooking
 a house with a stone wall around it heavily guarded. He wore a
 black cloak around his normal clothing making him harder to see
 in the fading light, his katanas strapped outside of the cloak.

 *The den is mostly underground.* Kagatsu thought trying to devise
 a way to enter. *The clan head's house is the main entrance, but
 if memory serves, there is a secret entrance in these rocks. Now
 would he guard the secret entrance knowing I might remember where
 it was? Hmm....*

 Kagatsu thought for a few more minutes when an idea came to him.

 *Well, the hall from the secret entrance to the main part of the
 den isn't that deep, so I'll just make my own entrance.*

 Kagatsu drew his katanas and walked 50 feet towards the house
 from the rock formation.

 *This ought to do.* Kagatsu thought.

 "Hasukii Shiyan!" he said forming a circle in the ground with his
 katanas.

 A white light eminated from the ground where the circle was traced.
 Soon after, the sand began to drain away revealing a hole to a
 hallway of sorts some ten feet below the surface. Katanas ready,
 Kagatsu jumped down into the hall.

 *It can't take them long to notice the sand and the hole here.*
 Kagatsu thought. *I need to get to the cell area and quickly. I
 just hope that's where they are being held.*

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

 The dungeon of the den was nearly empty except for one cell in the
 very back and four guards patroling the area. In the cell, a lone
 youth, perhaps in his mid teens, sat with a defeated look upon
 his face.

 "How can you listen to him." he yelled at the guard. "He's lied
 to the whole clan every chance he gets. He's going to start a
 war!"

 "Shut your mouth or I'll have you whipped for defying Genshi."

 "Don't you even find it wierd that he threw me in the dungeon?
 After how close we've been? He's a different person! Just let me
 out, I'll prove it to everyone."

 "You're not going to prove anything. Now just sit there and keep
 quiet. You're lucky he didn't just have you killed."

 "Hey capt'n." another guard called to the one guarding the cell.
 "I gotta piss, can you handle things without me for a bit?"

 "Yeah, Dasugi here isn't going anywhere. No one's coming to save
 his hide."

 "Alright." the guard said, then left.

 Moments later, a thud was heard as if something hit the ground.

 "Hey!" another guard called. "Who's there?"

 "Go check it out." the Captain told him.

 "Yes, sir." the guard said, then left.

 Just as he disappeared around the corner going up the stairs,
 the Guard's yell was heard, then quickly cut short. The captain
 and the last remaining guard stood ready to fight. Silence filled
 the dungeon.

 "Capt'n" the guard said quietly.

 "What is it?"

 "Look, but the stairs."

 The captain looked along the floor to the stairs where the light
 of the two torches against the wall produced a faint shadow of
 a person. Before the guard could react, two stars came from the
 "shadow." The first star hit him in his chest. The second, just
 below his neck. The guard fell down bleeding freely. Two more
 stars went to the captian, but were deflected.

 "Whoever you are, you won't be able to take me with puny little
 throwing stars. Come out and fight me like a man, or are you too
 timid?"

 "Timid?" Kagatsu said cutting the torches, extuiguishing them.
 "Timid I am not. I just do not have the luxury of time to meddle
 in too many sword fights."

 Kagatsu appeared ten feet in front of the captain, katanas ready.

 "I will have to warn you, I cannot afford to take it easy on you."

 *I... I know that voice.* Dasugi thought in his cell. *Where have
 I...* He strained to look out of the cage to the oncoming
 fight, but could not see the other figure.

 "Heh. Its time for you to die, my friend." the guard sneered and
 lunged forward.

 Kagatsu deflected the guards attack with one katana, then spun
 around with the other causing a large cut in the captain's
 shoulder. The captain winced in pain, but turned around and launched
 a second attack. Kagatsu parried the sword attack causing the guard
 to loose his weapon from the weakened arm. Kagatsu sighed as he
 placed the finishing blow into the captain's chest.

 "Wh... who are you?" Dasugi asked from the cell.

 Kagatsu lowered the cloak showing his face.

 "Sh.. Shenchi? Is it really you? I thought you were dead!"

 "No... not physically, at least." Kagatsu replied unlocking the
 cell door with the captain's keys.

 "But..."

 "I don't have time to explain things. Where are the girls being
 held?"

 "Genshi has them in the main chamber of the den. Are you the one
 he's expecting."

 "Yes. Come with me. I need you to get the girls out of here while
 I deal with Genshi."

 "Genshi has changed." Dasugi whispered as the two snuck around to
 the main chambers.

 "I know." Kagatsu whispered back. "He's the only one who knew
 I was still alive, and now he's trying to kill me."

 "You're one of the few who can interfere with his plans."

 "Which are?"

 "I don't know for sure, but the girl that he says is from another
 world is being held for someone in the east."

 "Of Sairo? or where?"

 "No, Kutou."

 "Kutou? What do they want with... maybe they want to make her
 be Seiryuu no Miko?"

 "I don't know for sure. All I know is that they are dealing with
 Kutou."

 "So, where are all the guards?"

 "They're in the main chamber of the den, Genshi has a trap set for
 you. Something about killing you with your own power or something
 like that."

 "Hmm..." Kagatsu said pondering the situation.

 The two followed the hallway for several hundreds of feet until
 they finally came to where it opened into the main chambers.

 "Stay here." Kagatsu said. "I will get the girls here to you. Get
 them to the rock by the secret entrance. They don't know I have
 you freed."

 "Alright. Be careful."

 "You too." Kagatsu said and walked through the arch leading to
 the main chamber

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

 The main chamber was decorated much differently from the sand and
 rock halls throughout the rest of the den. Tapestries, carpeting
 and banners were everywhere, including several ranks of guards and
 clansmen. On the sides, massive support columns lined the walls
 supporting the large arches which made up the roof. In the center,
 through an aisle of the crowd of clan members, was another youth,
 about Kagatsu's age, sitting on a stone chair made to look like
 an imperial throne.

 "You're late Shenchi. Half the hourglass has drained since sundown."
 The youth said from his throne. "Its been a while."

 "Indeed it has, Genshi." Kagatsu replied slowly walking down the
 center aisle. "I didn't know I was such an honored guest today.
 Are you trying to make up for the honor you lost when you broke
 our pledge?"

 "Times have changed, Shenchi. I am not the timid imbicile I was
 back then."

 "No, instead you are a manipulative, greedy, and uncaring bastard
 no longer caring to do things honorably."

 "I see your sense of humor hasn't changed at all." Genshi said
 chuckling slightly.

 "Let's get down to the point, shall we?"

 "Ah, Shenchi, Shenchi, Shenchi. You never were one for chit-chat."

 Genshi snapped his fingers and Akiya and Eki were brought in from
 a side room.

 "And what exactly are your terms of release?"

 "I want those wonderful swords of yours. With them, I will be a
 much better ruler, don't you think?"

 "Very well, done." Kagatsu said removing the swords and scabbards
 from his cloak. "Have your man bring them here. I will give him
 the swords."

 Akiya and Eki were led by their captor to Kagatsu, who then gave
 the captor his swords. The man then walked to Genshi and handed
 him the swords.

 "Heh heh heh." Genshi laughed loudly. "What exactly did you expect
 me to do with these, Shenchi? Now, I will send you to your grave
 with the very power embued in these swords." he added unseathing
 the swords. "Hasukii Shiyan!" he said as he swung the swords in
 a wide arc.

 Kagatsu couldn't help but smile at the failed attempt on his life.
 The clansmen and Genshi all looked with surprise.

 "Now's your chance." Kagatsu whispered to Eki and Akiya, get out
 of here. I have a friend waiting to lead you out.

 "But..." both chimed in protest.

 "Don't worry about me! Just go, hurry!"

 Akiya and Eki ran down the aisle and out the door. The clansmen
 went to stop them, but Genshi stopped them.

 "Once he is out of the way, we can get them back." Genshi said.
 "Now, Shenchi. You will tell me how to activate the enchantment of
 the swords."

 "You are a fool, Genshi. You always have been. My swords have no
 enchantment, no mystical power. The power comes from within, it
 is a power you can never possess."

 Kagatsu threw off his cloak revealing the swords his father had
 given to him not long ago.

 "Amusing. Do you really think you are in any position to fight?
 Alright then, I'll give you one."

 Kagatsu felt the surge of power coming from his shoulder. The once
 warm, gentle sensation now flared making it seem as if it were
 searing his flesh.

 "Kill him." Genshi ordered his men.

 Kagatsu whipped out his swords.

 "Now to show you how it's done!" Kagatsu said as those around
 him got up and prepared to attack. "Hasukii Shiyan!" He called
 sending several arcs of energy from his swords to the support
 columns.

 White light flared in the columns where they were stuck by the
 energy wave. Soon, the column faltered and broke sending the column
 down on nearby soldiers. Large cracks began to fall from the ceiling,
 but Kagatsu was not done, yet.

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

 Dasugi, Akiya and Eki emerged from the secret passage in the rock
 formation, out of breath from running. Eki looked out at the house
 which stood over the area where they were once held. The house was
 falling apart from the sides to the roof.

 "What's happening to the house?" Eki asked.

 "The house stands directly over the main chamber of the den. Perhaps
 a fight broke out, and the columns have been broken." Dasugi said

 "But if they break, will..."

 "Yes, everything will fall into the main chamber."

 "Kagatsu!" Eki yelled in panic.

 "Eki, Akiya, are you two alright?" A female voice said from behind
 them."

 Eki turned to see Subaru, Tatara, and Tokaki dismounting their
 horses.

 "We're alright, but... Kagatsu is in there... and he..." Eki said
 her voice quavering.

 "Can... can you help him? Get him out of there, anything!?" Akiya
 asked trying to control her emotions.

 "Tokaki, see if you can help Kagatsu." Subaru told he husband.

 "Instantaneous Motion." Tokaki said as he winked out of sight.

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

 Large chunks of ceiling were now falling all around. Kagatsu and
 Genshi stood facing each other swords drawn amongst the fray. Any
 surviving members of the clan had long ran from the collapsing
 room. Both Kagatsu and Genshi had suffered several injuries during
 the course of their fight, but they continued immediately hacking
 and crossing their swords.

 The celing rapidly decayed and soon, several huge pieces came
 falling down on Kagatsu and Genshi. Each tried to keep the other
 from escaping their fate for as long as they could. Kagatsu broke
 free and jumped away, but a large piece of the ceiling caught his
 right arm sending him to the ground. Genshi was not as lucky,
 having another piece fall square on his back, killing him.

 The pain in Kagatsu's arm was more intense then he'd ever felt.
 He lie face to the ground just wondering when the piece that
 finished him would fall.

 Tokaki appeared in the room and scanned it, looking for any sign
 of life.

 "Kagatsu, are you here?" He called.

 Kagatsu never thought he could be so happy to hear Tokaki's voice.

 "Here...." Kagatsu said weakly.

 "Kagatsu?" Tokaki called again.

 Using his left arm, Kagatsu waved a sword in the air catching
 Tokaki's attention. Quickly going through the rubble, Tokaki made
 his way to Kagatsu.

 "Well, this is a fine mess you've gotten into." Tokaki said

 "I'll... take the lecture later..." Kagatsu said enduring the
 piercing pain in his right arm.

 "Alright then." Tokaki said trying to think of the best way to
 move the huge chunk of stone off Kagatsu.

 Tokaki tried to lift the massive slab of rock. Pain raced through
 Kagatsu as pressure was taken off of his arm. Tokaki could not,
 however, lift it enough for Kagatsu to get his arm out.

 "How is that arm?" Tokaki asked

 "It HURTS!" Kagatsu yelled as another surge of pain came over him.
 "Definately broken. Be careful when you move the rock." he then
 added getting control over the pain.

 "I was referring to the other one."

 "Oh." Kagatsu said sheepishly. "Its alright... I... could break
 this rock.... with it if I could see it.... better."

 "I can see it fine, what are you looking for?"

 "I'm... not looking... for anything." Kagatsu said, then a thought
 came to him. "Can you... aim my sword to the rock?" he said raising
 his left arm.

 Tokaki did his best to aim Kagatsu's sword toward the rock that
 pinned him down.

 "Alright, there. What do you plan to do now?"

 Using every ounce of mental strength he had left, Kagatsu
 concentrated. The warmth of his seishi power rising within him
 overcame the pain.

 "Ha...sukii.... Shiyan!"

 The energy release from Kagatsu's sword sliced neatly through the
 stone. Tokaki then easily lifted it off of Kagatsu and Kagatsu
 rolled out from his prison.

 "That was impressive. Maybe you're worth teaching a thing or two
 to."

 Tokaki's character appeared on his cheek and he and Kagatsu winked
 out of sight.

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

 "I hope everything's ok." Subaru said softly.

 Moments later, Kagatsu and Tokaki appeared in front of the small
 group. Kagatsu held his right arm close to his body trying to keep
 it immobile, but he couldn't hide the fact he was badly indured.
 Blood covered his legs, almost the entrie right side of his body
 and his face.

 "KAGATSU!" Eki and Akiya shouted rushing over to him.

 "I'm alright." Kagatsu said weakly.

 "No, you're not. Now hold still and let me take care of you!"
 Eki said giving him a 'don't you dare say no' look.

 "I'll help you." Akiya said.

 "No, that's alright I can do it."

 "No, no, I insist"

 "I said," Eki said raising her voice and leaning forward. "I can
 handle it."

 She leaned forward till she bumped Kagatsu's right arm with her
 shoulder causing him to wince, then immediately drew back.

 "Are you alright?!" both Akiya and Eki said in unison.

 "You should have let us take care of this." Tatara said glaring
 slightly at Kagatsu.

 "I kept my promise, didn't I?" Kagatsu replied

 "But, that's not the point." Subaru said joining in.

 "Let me take a look at your arm first." Eki said rolling up the
 sleeve carefully, paying no attention to the others.

 "Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Subaru asked.

 As Eki rolled up Kagatsu's sleeve, she noticed the white character
 glowing dimly on his shoulder. Eki's eyes widened from shock, and
 a bit of delight as her hands covered her gaping mouth.

 "Something wrong, Eki?" Akiya asked worried.

 "Kagatsu... you... you're a..." Eki began.

 "I have been known to you as Kagatsu." Kagatsu began faintly. "But
 today marks the day where I finally take my place amongst you, as
 the seishi Kagasuki."

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

End Chapter 3.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

If you have any suggestions on how to improve this, or help me with some
of the fixes I'm going to be
looking to correct, let me know. ^_^

SD



--
"May the journey through the darkness give you comfort
 in the presence of the everlasting light"

     -The Mighty SoulDrake