Nostalgia

by Emerald

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Disclaimers and Warnings: Fushigi Yuugi and its characters all belong to Watase Yuu and some other company. Anyway, I don't own any of them. This fic contains spoilers for almost the whole series, I think. Maybe a little bit of foul language as well and a very slight tinge of shounen ai. ^^

***

Ah...yes. Peace.

I stretch as I surveyed the view before me. Such irrecognizable tranquility. I close my eyes and feel the world around me.

So quiet.

Too quiet.

Ha! If only that baka were here, he'd probably be spewing insults right now so early in the morning, waking up everyone.

The corners of my mouth tugged upwards as I recollect our first meeting. That black coat and those jewelry he adorned himself with were not really of my taste --- though I must admit that it suits him well.

Maybe it's with the way he carries himself. Like a wild, untamed animal, confident. A born-leader.

Speaking of the devil, here he comes now. I knew he would be coming today.

" Hey, Nuriko!"

Aa... Tasuki. Still looking well, I see.

The bandit leader stretched and made himself comfortable.

" Ne, Nuriko...I've got so much to tell you!"

Fire away, Genrou.

I'm really in the mood for one of his stories today. I wonder what experiences will he brag about now. I looked at him, one eyebrow raised yet my lips were curling with anticipation.

" Just went to a raid yesterday.", he began, looking smug, "Piece of cake! They didn't stand a chance against my tessen!"

Just as I figured, Tasuki. You burned them to a crisp with that tessen of yours. Tsk! Tsk! The zombies didn't stand a chance then, ne?

This idiot denied himself as one of the Suzaku Seishi, making us go through all those ordeals, we were almost devoured by those --- eeyuck! "creatures", then he comes out with that fan of his burning them down. Then he admits he's Tasuki! If he hadn't saved us that time, I would have smacked him silly.

I continued to listen to his tale, arms crossed over my chest.

" But --oh yeah! Before that, I used sorcery. You remember that, Nuriko? Those papers that turn into wolves? I used them again. Hahahaha! You should've seen them, man. All those big fat asses screaming like babies. Hahahahaha! T-they were f-fucking mortified!"

How could I forget that, Gen-chan?

I tried to look cross but amusement danced on my face. He was still hysterical with laughter. Tears were even forming in his eyes.

" By the way, Nuriko.", he whispered and I went near him to hear his voice, " I'm taking swimming lessons now. Kouji's been teaching me to swim." , almost proudly, he even added, " I can dog-paddle now."

I tried to control myself from laughing out loud. Gen-chan would get mad if I laugh at him. But I just couldn't resist a chuckle.

Well, it's about time you learned, you know.

I giggled.

So, next time we go for a boat ride, you won't be a baby, ne? Boy, did you hang on tight to that man's leg. We almost had to use a crowbar on you!

The flame-haired bandit just smiled his feral grin. That famed grin, the one with the fang. Well, he looks kinda adorable, in a way.

" Eh, next time, we'll be sailing ships and expand our territory beyond Mt. Leikaku. Yep! We'll be the world-famous bandits. We'll be needing a new name... hmm...what do you think? Umm...Global Bandits? Or the Men of the Mountain? Or..."

I snorted. Laughter in my eyes, I find myself suppressing a fit of giggles as I notice this foul-mouthed seishi contemplating...

How about Genrou's Men?

I couldn't help teasing just a bit, laughing inwardly at my silly suggestion.

Tasuki just shrugged, and snickered.

All the chortling seem to subside slowly as we regained our breaths and composure. He closes his eyes for a bit, muttering some words to himself. This went on for a few minutes, and I just watched him. I felt a sense of warmth around me as he did this, like being wrapped in a warm cocoon, or cradled by a mother's arms. I felt...soothed, peaceful. Loved.

He then stood up slowly.

" Oi, Nuriko. I've got to go now."

I smiled. Thanks for visiting me, Tasuki-chan.

He answered in a low voice, " If you ever tell anyone I visited you --- I'll kick your ass, you hear me?!"

I just rolled my eyes at this comment. Baka!

He never changed. Always embarassed about being called sentimental and all that. I can even remember that time at the Stargazing Festival, jeez, doesn't even want to admit he would like some of that almond jelly!

Genrou no Baka!

The bandit laid the purple flowers he brought on the ground and placed a last look on my grave. I could almost feel his gaze on me as he whispered a wistful "goodbye".

Goodbye, Gen-chan. Until next time, ne?

I watch him as his form retreats, going to the direction where the other seishis are buried. I wave at him from afar, though I know he could not see me, but still ---

I let out a small laugh, remembering all those things that he told me today. I just shook my head.

You are such an idiot, Gen-chan.

A funny and kind idiot...

Sigh.

I close my eyes and smiled.

... and I love you.

 

-owari-