Nuriko's Story:

Discovered

Disclaimer! Fushigi Yuugi is the property of Watase-sama, Tokyo Television, Shogakukan, Flower Comics, Pioneer, and others. No infringement is intended in the writing of this fanfic.


"You let my secret out!"

I ran. I didn't care where I was going, just as long as I could get away from those surprised and shocked faces. Away from those eyes. From his eyes. Hotohori-sama.

How could she have told him?? She knew how much I loved him! She knew! Why did she have to tell him that I was a man? Now he'd never love me! It was all her fault! She just had to tell him.

"That bitch," I cried out. "I wish she was dead!"

I tripped on a tree root and fell to my hands and knees. Sitting back on my heels, I brought my cloth-draped hands to my eyes and sobbed.

Hotohori-sama. I loved him so much! Why didn't he ever notice me? For a year I'd been at the court and he never even looked at me. That little bitch came along and he couldn't keep away from her. Why? I was so much prettier than her!

If only he had loved me before he found out. Oh, I knew he would've found out one day. But if he had already loved me, it wouldn't have mattered that I was a man. I had put my manhood aside for love and he could have done the same. But now it was all over! He would never love me now that he knew my secret.

My sobbing subsided as a thought came to me. There might still be a chance to get Hotohori-sama. We were going to help Miaka get back to her world. If we did that, I could still have a chance to win Hotohori-sama's heart.

Getting to my feet, I looked around me. "Just where am I?" A glint caught my eye. I slowly make my way towards it. A short distance away, I saw a pond. This was perfect! Splashing cold water on my face would take away the effects of my crying.

I knelt down on the grassy edge and looked at my reflection in the clear water. Ugh! Did I look a mess! I rolled up my sleeves and dipped my hands into the cool water, splashing some on my face. It felt so good! After splashing my face a few more times, I took another look at myself. I nodded with satisfaction at what I saw.

I sat straight up and looked around me. Something was wrong. I could feel it. I didn't know what it was, but something wasn't right. I quickly got to my feet and started running in the direction that my feelings told me to go. My heart pounded in my chest. What could it be?

I came to the edge of a cliff and looked down. I saw Miaka holding a mirror towards Tamahome and Hotohori-sama, who were on their knees. A strange lightning was crackling all around them. My heart froze as I saw them there. Miaka was trying to kill them! What should I do??

"Hotohori-sama," I whispered.

Miaka doubled over as if in pain. She cried out, as a green liquid, like blood, burst out of her chest. I stared at her in shock as she changed into some hideous creature. A fake! Then that wasn't Miaka! Well, then, time to get rid of it. I saw a boulder nearby and went to pick it up.

Carrying the boulder with one hand, I made my way back to the edge of the cliff. Looking down, I saw Tamahome give the fake a flying kick, then jump away. The creature extended it's arm and grabbed his shoulder. But not for long, since Hotohori-sama soon cut the fake's arm off with one swipe.

They were both clear of the monster. Now was my chance. I tossed the boulder, which landed on the fake, crushing it. Both Hotohori and Tamahome looked up in surprise.

"Nuriko," Hotohori-sama said.

I sighed inwardly. That was the sweetest sound I ever heard. I could listen to him say my name forever. If only he would say it like he said Miaka's. Oh, well. Someday. I non-chalantly dusted my hands and put them behind my back. I bent over a little and smiled down at Hotohori-sama and Tamahome.

"I felt that something was amiss."


Written by Cind-chan.
Posted Oct.7, 1997

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