Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

The Prophecy of Genbu	By : Ree Category: +. to F > Fushigi Yuugi Views: 1222 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Fushigi Yuugi, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 10
- 11
- 12
Title: The Prophecy of Genbu

Series: Fushigi Yuugi

Rating: MA

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN THIS SERIES. The Fushigi
Yuugi universe belongs to Watase Yuu-san and I do not claim this universe
whatsoever. I am only writing a story for fun, not profit. For other notes,
please refer to chapter one.

Author�s
Note: The song used in
this chapter is �Return to the Sea� from the anime Mermaid Melody Pichi Pichi
Pitch owned by Pink Hanamori.� I do not
claim anything from the anime or manga, nor do I own it, I�m just borrowing the
music because I suck at writing it.� Any
future songs will also be from the anime.�
I seriously recommend checking it out!�
Thanks!

*�� *�� *�� *�� *

Chapter Eleven

The Melody Awakens

One
thing that Cassandra hadn�t known about Konan: it was hot.� It was extremely hot.� The group had been at the palace for about a
week after their decision to take a break, and they were approaching the second
week during an intense heat wave.�
Finally, Cassandra hadn�t been able to take it anymore and said,

�Let�s
go swimming!�

So, her
group packed up and went off to go swimming.�
They had all embraced the idea readily.�
After all, they were used to the colder temperatures of Hokkan and Konan
was a bit too warm for their tastes.�
Even Saihitei had been convinced to come along with them and he brought
his personal bodyguard and constant shadow, Chang, with him.� They had ridden, Saihitei and Cassandra in
disguise for the day, to a wide, calm river that flowed into a lake
nearby.� The lake was clear and calm
with the sun reflecting down, sparkling on the surface.� Once the horses were settled in the shade
with water and food, many of the group barreled into the water.

Cassandra
shrieked as the cold water hit her skin in welcome relief and dove underneath
the surface.� Underneath was just as
clear as the surface and she smiled as she looked around at all of the
different fish.� There aren�t lakes
like this in my world.� None are as
clear and beautiful as this one.� She
surfaced after a while, breathing in the warm air and slicking back her
hair.� All of a sudden a wave of cold
water hit her skin and she shrieked, whirling around.� Iname was laughing behind her, grinning from ear to ear and
splashed her again.

�I�m
gonna get you now, brat!� Cassandra laughed and dunked Iname in
retaliation.� �Take that!�

�Why
you-!� and he thrashed as she held him down before he surfaced and blew a
stream of water from his mouth, coughing.�
�Only the old fart can call me that, Cassandra!� Right old fart?�

�Call
me that again brat and I�ll do more than dunk you.�

Unlike
the others, Urumiya was sitting on the bank in only a pair of shorts.� Cassandra had convinced the men that shorts
were far more practical for swimming than pants, since she refused to see them
swimming in the nude.� Uruki had taken
to it quickly and was stretched out on a blanket in short shorts�working on his
tan.� And admiring the view, he
thought and glanced over at Hatsui.�
Since the man was the warrior of water, Hatsui was incredibly at home in
the lake.� He was teaching Saihitei how
to swim in the shallows and coached him on.

�That�s
it, Your Highness, use your arms and legs just how I showed you,� Hatsui walked
beside the boy as he encouraged him.

�I
think I�m getting better!� Chang, look,
I�m swimming!�

His
ever-present protector smiled from where he was standing: under a tree, in the
shadows, as always.� Chang had been
watching and speaking with the priestess as often as he could without appearing
suspicious.� Getting to know the young
girl wasn�t that difficult.� She
practically wears her heart and soul on her sleeve.� In some ways, Cassandra reminded Chang of the young
Emperor.� In others, he was left
doubting her desire and ability to save Hokkan.� Still, Hokkan wasn�t his home.�
It was just a vague memory from long ago.�

Chang
had moved to Konan with his family when he�d been only five years old.� There was work there and better means of
living.� As soon as he was old enough,
Chang had joined the army and worked as hard as he could to help support his
family.� With that, and what his father
made, Chang�s family was able to live comfortably until his siblings could find
work as well.� It had taken his own will
and sheer determination to get where he was and so he knew�he knew that
Cassandra had to have a strong will as well to save Hokkan.� Otherwise the events of the past will
repeat themselves.� And Hokkan will
suffer for it.

�You�re
awfully quiet, Chang.�

Urumiya�s
comment made Chang shift in the shadows.�
�Merely thinking.�

�What
are you thinking?�

�It
does not concern you.�

�Quite the
opposite.� You were staring at Cassandra
the entire time you were thinking.�
Obviously it concerns her, so therefore it concerns us.� So�what were you thinking of, Chang?�

Chang
was silent for a moment.� �Merely
wondering if she has enough will to survive being devoured by the beast
god.� If she will survive at all really,
and what will happen to Hokkan.� That�s
all.�

Urumiya�s
eyes narrowed as he spoke slowly, choosing his words with care.� �If you doubt her, do not tell her.� First she must believe in herself.� Then she must know that others believe in
her abilities.� If you doubt her, then
Cassandra will start to doubt herself.�
And I will not allow that.�

�Then
her will isn�t strong enough.� What a
pity she won�t survive.�

Now it
was Uruki�s turn to be offended and he sat up on his blanket.� �Listen you�you don�t have to believe in
Cassandra�s ability to save Hokkan.�
Hell, you don�t even have to like her.�
But if that�s how you feel then I suggest you keep your mouth shut
around us.� We believe in her and always
will.�

�I will
say what I think, no mater how it makes your priestess feel,� Chang�s voice was
cold, emotionless as he glanced back out at the water.� �If I think she is weak, I will say so.� If I think she doesn�t have a strong will, I
will say so.� She is not my
priestess.� Understood?�

�Then
you�re a goddamn bastard, Chang, and that�s what I think.�

Closing
his eyes and laying back down in a huff, Uruki went back to his tanning.� He was rather miffed at Chang�s feelings
towards Cassandra�but you can�t change how someone thinks by beating their
face in.� Unfortunately.� Urumiya chuckled at Uruki and shook his
head, his eyes going back to the water.�
Everything was going well.� Iname
and Cassandra were a little too cozy as they played around in the water and
Urumiya was about to remedy that when he felt a familiar, icy presence.� Uruki jerked up beside him and Chang grabbed
his sword.

�Iname!� Hatsui!�
Get Cassandra and the Emperor out of the water!� Now!� Urumiya rose to his feet and went for
their weapons.

�Why?� What�s going on?� Cassandra glanced around
and felt a prickling sensation on her skin.�
�Iname, what�s happening?�
What-?�

Iname
scooped Cassandra into his arms and leapt for shore.� �Kutou soldiers!� Nakago�s
at the head and they�re heading this way!�
We�ve got to get out of here before they find us!�

�Everyone
listen,� Urumiya snapped as he strung his bow.�
�Chang and Iname, take Cassandra and the Emperor to safety back in
Konan.� Hatsui, Uruki, you�re with me.� We�ll hold them back.�

�Urumiya!�
Cassandra fought Iname as he lifted her onto a horse.� �Iname, put me down, I want to stay and help!�

�Sorry
Cassandra but as you are, you would only get in the way,� Iname glanced at
Urumiya before mounting up.

�Then
stay with them Iname.� I trust Chang; he
can look after the Emperor and me.�
Please�� she tugged on Iname�s sleeve and gave him a pleading look.� �Please Iname, do this for me?�

Iname
paused.� I don�t want to leave her
alone�he knew that if Nakago had the chance, he would kill Cassandra.� I can�t let that happen.� But she did have a point.� Urumiya and the others were
outnumbered.� He sighed and dismounted,
reaching for his glaive before turning to Chang.

�Protect
her.�

Chang
paused, his brown eyes tense.� �I will do
so with my life.�

With a
nod, Iname slapped the horse�s flank and the horse started off down the river
with Chang and Saihitei right behind her.�
Iname watched them go and sent a quick prayer to Genbu to watch over
them.� He didn�t want to lose her and Chang
wasn�t a Genbu Shichi Seishi�that bothers me the most.� But he turned back to his friends and
smiled.� They would protect
Cassandra.� No matter what.

�You
sure it was wise to let Lady Cassandra go with him?� He isn�t a Celestial Warrior like we are,� Hatsui was concerned
and rightly so.� �I mean�she can�t
exactly be replaced.�

�That
doesn�t mean he can�t protect her,� Iname argued and ran his fingers through
his hair.� �We have to trust him.� After all, he�s protected the Emperor all
this time, so he must know what he�s doing��

�Cassandra
and Emperor Saihitei are two different people to Mu Chang, Iname,� Urumiya slid
his quiver of arrows on his back.� �But
for now we have to trust him.� Because
there�s no more time��

Drawing
an arrow against the string, Urumiya took aim and fired.� The scream of the dying assured him that his
arrow hit true and he charged forward.�
With that, the rest of the Genbu Shichi Seishi leapt into the fray as
Kutou soldiers and assassins leapt out from the underbrush.� There were more warriors than they had
accounted for, but they also had an advantage.�
Hatsui was near a body of water and with that, his powers would be
magnified by tenfold.� It would drain
him, but Hatsui was willing to take the chance.� He immediately ran for the water when a group of soldiers split
from the group to attack him, already gathering his powers.

�Hatsui
what are you doing?� Iname shouted as he slashed his glaive at his
enemies.� �Get back here and fight!�

�That�s
just what I�m doing!� and he splashed into the lake.� �Iname, all of you, get down!�

�What?� No way!�

�Just
do it!�

Hatsui
stood shin deep in the water and closed his eyes.� He gathered his life force from the calm pool in his mind�s eye
and took several deep breaths.� Focus�just
focus on the power within�Hatsui had learned this trick years ago when he�d
been practicing with his abilities outside of Kutou�s borders.� Black light started to shine from his eyes
as the water churned and frothed at his feet.�
The soldiers paused, wary of the Genbu warrior who was making the water
violent.� When he gathered up his life
force in just the right way�the water exploded.

Iname
managed to duck just in time, grabbing Uruki by the shirt and taking him down
as well.� Amazing.� If his power�s that strong when he�s in
contact with water�think of the possibilities.�
The Kutou soldiers were hit by a veritable tidal wave from the lake
and it crushed them underneath the force of its blow.� Hatsui was at its vortex, trying to keep it away from his
friends.� I can�t hurt them.� I won�t hurt them.� And looming above the tidal wave, formed through Hatsui�s own
powers of concentration, was an enormous water dragon.� Just the sight of it alone would have been
enough to send them all running for the hills, but when the dragon attacked
along with the tidal wave, it was all over for them.

Trees
were crushed and brought down; the lands were flooded for miles as the attack
ran its course.� Hatsui was trying to
keep it from destroying everything, but water was naturally wild and carved its
own path.� There was only so much he
could do.� It was only when everything
had been destroyed that the water ceased to flow.� It receded back into the lake slowly as Hatsui struggled to
remain conscious.� Too much.� It was too much.� My chest�hurts�and he fell forward into the water.� It filled his senses until he felt someone
lift him onto his back.� Hatsui managed
to open his eyes and looked up into Uruki�s worried black eyes.

�Damn
it, Hatsui, what were you thinking?� You
could have killed yourself, you fool!� Uruki scolded as he carried the other
man out of the water.� �I can�t believe
you.� You were so reckless and so
stupid��

�But I
didn�t and now you three can go after Nakago.�
Right?�

�Wait a
minute�� Iname looked around and paled.�
�Where is that bastard?� I still
feel his presence, so why hasn�t he shown himself?�

Urumiya
scanned the area and suddenly the realization hit.� �He went after Cassandra and the Emperor!� He�s following their trail!�

�Then
what are we waiting for?� We have to go
after him!� Iname vaulted onto his horse and started down the road.

�Let�s
go!� Hatsui, can you ride?�

�Yes, I
think so.�

�All
right, up you go.�

Uruki
lifted Hatsui up onto a horse as Urumiya swung himself into his saddle and they
started down the road to catch up with the others.� Time is running out and we�re so far behind them.� Cassandra�Iname�s heart was pounding in
fear as he spurred his horse on faster.�
If we don�t get there in time he�ll kill her.� I can�t let that happen!� Iname didn�t care that he could break
his neck at the pace he was riding, all that mattered was getting to
Cassandra.� I never should have left
her with Chang.� I should have stayed
with her!� His horse leapt over a
log and Iname hit his head on a low branch, but even that didn�t stop him.

Chang,
Cassandra, and the Emperor were far ahead of the others and had slowed to a
trot when they felt they were out of danger.�
Chang paused his horse and waited for Cassandra to catch up, all of his
senses on high alert.� That�s when he felt
it.� So, he comes this way.� Now we�ll get to see what you are truly made
of, Genbu no Miko.� And he glanced
at Cassandra.

�What
is it Chang?�

�We�re
being followed.� I will take His
Highness back to Konan and return for you.�

�But
that�ll take hours! �If it�s who I think
it is that�s following us�� Cassandra wheeled her horse around nervously and
sighed.� �Very well.� The Emperor is more important than I
am.� It�s me he�s after anyway.� Go Chang and take the Emperor back.� Saihitei will be safe with you.�

�What
about you Cassandra?� Saihitei peered around from behind Chang.� �You won�t be safe!�

�Go
Chang.� Quickly.�

Throwing
the girl an admiring glance, Chang clicked his tongue and rode off.� He would use his powers to get Saihitei back
safely�and then return for his priestess.�
Perhaps I have misjudged her.�
And the Emperor won�t stay so young forever.� As much as it pained Chang to think of leaving Saihitei, he
knew that destiny wouldn�t be denied.�
He would return for Cassandra as soon as he could.� She watched them go with a pounding
heart.� Be safe�and she thought
of Iname and the others and it made her chest ache.� All of you.� Don�t
worry about me.� Even if Nakago does
come, I�ll face him.� I won�t be afraid
anymore.� Cassandra dismounted and
led her horse to the river where she waited patiently on the bank, listening to
the sound of the water rushing over the rocks.�
Every second that passed made her heart race.� Little noises started her and she sighed.� I�m being ridiculous, aren�t I?

�The
Genbu no Miko all alone.� How careless
of the Genbu Shichi Seishi.�

The
cold, smooth voice made her freeze but she kept her gaze resolutely on the
water.� �Nakago.�

The man
in question smirked as he slowly approached Cassandra.� He didn�t see the Emperor or his bodyguard,
nor did he feel their presence, and assumed they must have fled.� And they left the priestess here
alone.� How�convenient.� Nakago had been considering his options
in how to destroy the Genbu no Miko.� He
had to ensure that whatever he did would cripple the group as well as deal a
humiliating blow.� He had weighed all of
his options and decided on what would not only be beneficial, but the most
entertaining choice.� If he could not
kill the Genbu no Miko, then Nakago would merely start to bend her will to
his.� Psychological warfare was one of
his strengths and Nakago used it whenever possible.� Then there was the added benefit of having her under his control.

Once
she belongs to me, I will not have to wait for the Seiryu no Miko to
appear.� He could become Emperor of Kutou and then
over all four countries as long as she gave him one of her wishes.� The minute that the wish was fulfilled and
she had served her purpose, Nakago would dispose of her.� Although her warriors were cause for some
concern, he knew that they would obey her will no matter what.� They are the Genbu Shichi Seishi
after all.� The mention of the group
of men made Nakago sneer as he stepped up behind Cassandra.� He would deal with her first and then get
rid of her protectors.� Now to set his
plan in motion�

�Your
warriors did not even send a protector with you?� How irresponsible,� he mocked and smirked as her shoulders
tensed.� �Anyone could happen along who
means you harm, priestess.�

�Stay
away from me, Nakago.�

She
turned around and began to back up towards the river.� Cassandra didn�t know what she was going to do and she looked
around helplessly.� I can�t fight
him.� I can�t run.� I�m trapped.� The current rushed around her ankles and caused the young
woman to trip and stumble backwards.� A
gasp escaped her and she braced herself for the fall, but Cassandra wasn�t
prepared for the hand that shot out and gripped her wrist.� A painful jolt shot through her arm and she
cried out, as she was pulled flush against a hard body.� She only had a minute to recognize that it
was Nakago before she shoved him away and headed for the large rock near the
center of the river.� He was
warm.� How could a man so cold have such
warm flesh?� Why did he save me from
falling?

�Are
you afraid of me, priestess?� After I
just saved you from the river?� Nakago�s tone was amused and he smiled faintly.

�The
last time we met you blew a hole through my shoulder and nearly killed me,� she
scrambled onto the rock and faced him boldly.�
�Forgive me if I don�t trust you as far as I can throw you.�

�It
wasn�t my intent to kill you�� he replied smoothly and stepped into the
water.� �I was merely testing you.�

�You
expect me to believe that?�

�Whether
you do or not is your choice,� and he moved closer, removing his cape
completely and letting it flutter onshore.

�Stay
away from me!�

Cassandra�s
heart was racing in her throat.� She had
to do something�stay back!� Stay
back, Nakago!� And she did the first
thing that came to mind.� Cassandra took
a deep breath and began to sing.

�The
final page of the fairy tale has changed to tragedy.� Even though I once believed, it has now been lost.� Love and dreams are sandcastles washed away
by the unforgiving tide, even if you deny it.�
Yet even now I can�t forget the way your song shone, echoing in my ears
even to this day��

When
her strong, enchanting voice filled the air, Nakago paused and chuckled
softly.� Foolish girl.� As if a mere song could stop me.� As he moved further in, something
flashed across his mind and he stopped cold.�
This energy�she was starting to glow with black light and
suddenly the melody was like an axe to his head.� Nakago grit his teeth and pushed back with his own power.� The song wavered for a moment and he saw
Cassandra slip on the rock. �He kept
pushing, but so did she, her green eyes glowing fiercely.� Nakago took a step back.

�So�you
do have powers��

�Like a
jewel, the sea shines bright as it engulfs everything in its path with
love.� It gives birth to the seven lives
and dreams to see.� So now I have
returned, I cannot hide the truth anymore.�
I have my people, my world to protect as I return to the sea.�

Cassandra
had kept her eyes on Nakago the entire time, felt his power pressuring her to
give in, to stop, but she realized: he�s afraid of my song.� And so she kept singing, putting all of her
heart behind it, hoping that it would be enough to keep him back.� The light around her grew brighter and
Nakago winced slightly and took another step back.� That small triumph made Cassandra�s heart race.� Just a little more�I have to keep singing
until they find me.� Iname would
come for her and that knowledge kept her going strong as Nakago took another
small step back.� Suddenly, the sound of
hoof beats filled the air and Cassandra smiled.

Nakago
heard them as well and frowned slightly.�
He would have to change tactics now that the priestess had discovered
her powers.� With one final glance at
the Priestess of Genbu, Nakago pulled back completely.� As he reached down and gathered his cloak,
the young man mounted his horse and sent an icy cold glare in Cassandra�s
direction.� We shall meet again,
priestess.� This is far from over.� He put his spurs to his horse and rode
off quickly.� Already his mind was
whirling with plots and schemes he could use against her, now that he had
discovered her weakness.� Next time
we meet, there will be no one to interrupt us.

As
Nakago vanished into the trees, Cassandra collapsed in relief.� Strange�I feel so tired�before she
could hit the rock or the water, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her and
scooped her up safely.

�Who�?�

�Honestly,
you�re lucky you tapped into your powers when you did.� What would you have done if you hadn�t,
foolish girl?�

�Chang?�

�Yes.� The Emperor is safe, which is more than I
can say for you.�

�You
came back,� her voice was light and breathless as she clutched his shirt.� �How did you get to Konan and back here so
fast?� It�s impossible by horse, you
would have had to fly or something��

�I did
not reveal myself because the Emperor needed me.� And I did not know what sort of girl you were,� he tipped her
chin up so she could see as his symbol appeared.� �I am Namame.�

�You�you�re
Namame�?�

The
shock of that was enough to tip Cassandra over the edge and she slumped in his
arms.� Her eyes rolled as they closed
and she moaned softly before falling silent.�
Namame gave her a small smile and walked to a tree.� In the blink of an eye, he had disappeared
into its shadow, and Cassandra along with him.�
Following the energy of his fellow Genbu warriors, Namame emerged from
the shadow of another tree and stepped into view.

�Cassandra!�

Iname
leaped from his horse and ran over as soon as Chang emerged.� His heart thundered in his ears as he
reached for his priestess.� The older
man didn�t protest as he handed Cassandra over to him.� Thank Genbu she�s all right.� She�s not bleeding; there aren�t even any
bruises on her.� That�s amazing.� Iname glanced up at Chang with a raised
eyebrow.

�She�s
not hurt��

�No.�

�And you�re
not hurt��

�No.�

�The Emperor?�

�Safe
in the palace.�

There
was a long pause as Iname digested that information.� Usually Chang�s short answers would have annoyed him, but not
now.� He just held tight to Cassandra as
Urumiya walked forward.� The man�s
silver eyes glared daggers at Chang�s black orbs.� I knew it.� A man with
hair and eyes as dark as a moonless night and the Emperor�s constant
shadow�he�s the one.

�You
are Namame.�

�What?�
Hatsui gasped.

�How�s
that possible?� How did you know?� Uruki
asked.

�This
is the guy we were searching for all this time?� Iname demanded.� �Why didn�t you tell us, Chang?� For that matter, what happened to
Cassandra?� She�s unconscious but she
doesn�t have a scratch on her.�

�I
didn�t tell you because I did not wish to serve her.� The Priestess of Genbu had not earned my loyalty or respect.� The Emperor had.� I had to be certain.� As
for what happened, I returned the Emperor to the palace and arrived in time to
see her fight of Nakago.� She managed to
stop him and even drive him back using the power of her voice.�

�You�re
trying to tell us that all she had to do was sing in order to drive Nakago
off?� Uruki scoffed.� �If that was the
case, Namame, then we would have asked her to do it earlier.�

�It was
no ordinary song.� As she sang,
Cassandra was bathed in the light of the god Genbu.� She tapped her power as a priestess and the song became
increasingly painful to Nakago as her voice grew stronger.�

There
was complete silence as the four other men turned their attention to
Cassandra.� The unconscious girl, with
only her voice, had driven off the feared General of the Kutou army.

�Holy shit,� Iname swore.

*�� *�� *�� *�� *

And now for your holiday pleasure:
TWO UPDATES IN ONE DAY WOW!� Thanks for
reading!

-Ree
- 10
- 11
- 12
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Prophecy of Genbu