Chapter 6 - Inner Thoughts

Chichiri watched as the girl, Kagami, waved at him before completely closing her bedroom door, obviously in a hurry. Chichiri blinked, then looked around him, finally having the chance to observe his surroundings and think without a headache to occupy his head. He guessed the so-called 'pills' worked.

He was in a very cozy room. It's plain yes, but he was never really one with material things. As long as he had a bed to sleep on, it's okay. And it looked like Kagami has similar tastes.

He slowly got up, the blanket still wrapped around him firmly like a robe. He had no idea how to wear the cloth, and hoped that he's doing it right. He crossed the room in a few strides, towards where his clothes are hung. He looked at the curious things that were meant to hang his clothes. He had to admit that it was easier than tying a line to hang the clothes. And the thing Kagami called 'heater' was amazing. It's giving out its own heat, but it isn't a fire or a lamp at any form. Already, his soaked clothes are drying. Miaka's world really IS advanced.

Speaking of Miaka, Chichiri frowned. Is it possible she's near here? Or was she in another land, another country? He's heard that Miaka's world is impossibly big, with so many islands and countries. If Miaka isn't here, then what would happen to him? He can't waste time searching for her in every island of the world!

"Calm down," He quickly told himself. "Let's start small no da." He muttered and took a deep breath. He slowly sank down to a lotus position, and set to meditate, still wrapped up in the blanket. With carefulness and skill only possible with years of practice, he slowly let out his ki, searching this house. He had been careful not to show any of his powers and abilities to Kagami, even his chibi/SD version. He had heard that the people of this world isn't used to seeing any strange abilities, and tended to get scared. He wouldn't risk that now.

The only life force he could feel in here is Kagami's. At least she's telling the truth that she lives alone. She's obviously in a hurry to finish something because of her frantic ki and the way she feels like she is writing something as fast as she can.

Ignoring that, he slowly reached out his ki in the whole building. He could feel people shuffling about, eating, sleeping, and many more. But none were familiar, his Miko isn't here.

He then tried to extend it even more, but is soon struck speechless at the number of people in this small area alone. It felt like there are already hundreds of people in just this area. How many more are in the whole city?! The whole world! He'll never find Miaka this way!

He soon brought himself back to awareness, knowing that he can do nothing anymore except wait. It is simply impossible. He decided to just think back about the events earlier that night.

It was quite a shock when he woke up without adequate air supply, a massive headache, and his clothes cold and wet. Then, he abruptly noticed that there is a girl standing over him, expression determined, nervous, but stern at the same time. She was even holding the so-called 'frying pan' in an attack position, looking like she would bang him with it if he were to even make the wrong move. Good thing he had a calm head on his shoulders. If it were Tasuki in here, he would've already set fire to the room AND the girl the moment he woke up. And he doubts she would appreciate that.

But after he finished analyzing her, sure that she wouldn't do anything to him if he didn't do anything to her, (besides, what can she do to a warrior? Never mind that he looked like a helpless monk) he found himself observing her appearance, knowing that this was a girl from Miaka and Yui's world, and was trying to find signs of it.

He had to admit, the girl was pretty, in a simple-kind-of-way. And she was so ordinary, that he knew if he ever passed by her in a street, he wouldn't even give her a second glance. She didn't have Miaka's hair buns and vibrant red hair, and Yui's blonde hair and good looks to draw attention to herself. Maybe that's why Miaka was always finding trouble, because of her appearance. Huh. He never really thought of that before.

But back to the girl, her hair was a dark purple, darker than Nuriko and Houki's hair, and was held up in a loose ponytail, with a few bangs framing her face. She was dressed in a shirt with a collar, and loose pants that are both white in color. In fact, her whole clothing was loose, like the kind that can be used for sleeping. Maybe that's what she was going to do, before he interrupted her with his helplessness and stupidity. Her complexion was pale, and her eyes were a rich green color. It actually surprised him, because he's never seen eyes with a green hue before, especially something that looks as green as the trees themselves. It actually compliments the color of her hair, even if it was hard to imagine. Somehow, it vaguely reminded him of someone, but with the colors and a few features all wrong. He was pretty sure it wasn't Nuriko.

But no sooner than he finished analyzing her that he was immediately bombarded with questions, like he was a wanted criminal in the middle of an interrogation. At first he was completely bewildered at the questions, especially that drunk one, but soon understood when he realized all of the questions are asked to make sure he meant no harm. At least the girl was smart and wasn't trusting enough to drop a random stranger into her house without a means of defense and a plan. She was cautious, and it looks like she planned everything out if things were to turn to the worse. But it was still pretty rash of her to carry a random guy like him in a place where she's all alone, even though he highly appreciates her hospitality and kindness. It kind of reminded him of his Miko's own kindness in a way.

However, nothing could've prepared him of the fact that the girl asked him if he wants her to take off his own clothes. If he had no mask on, she would've seen him go red in embarrassment and shock. Why would she want him to do that? She looks nice enough, but suddenly she asks that?

His suspicions were quickly cleared when she said the reason, and was surprised to know she cares enough about his well-being to suggest that. Most would've just left him to his own devices, never mind if he got sick or not. The girl is just getting more interesting…

Then came the awkward scene. It was quite embarrassing to sit in front of a woman without clothes, and the only thing separating them is a blanket. Even though he's not an official monk, he's still aware and sensitive of those things. But thankfully, the girl didn't seem the type to peek or stare at him like that. In fact, she was careful to only look at his face, and she respects his privacy. Maybe it's because he told her that he's a monk? But no, it seems the girl wouldn't do anything like that to anyone, and he was grateful.

She soon introduced herself as Kagami after he asked her, then she presented him with those 'pills'. He had to admit it was something REALLY different and interesting. She keeps instant medicine that can get rid of a headache in only a few minutes? In a very little circular solid shape too. Even the greatest doctor Mitsukake only manages to create medicine in liquid and powder form, and in large amounts. And all of them tastes awful. Here, it doesn't have a taste, just the uncomfortable feeling of the thing being swallowed down his throat.

After that, the girl left him and headed to her room, saying something about finishing 'homework' and leaving a complete stranger all alone in her home. Again, that was kind of rash. What if he turned out to be a robber? It just wasn't safe. But maybe it was a sign of her trusting nature. She presented him first with an act of trust, and it was up to him to do everything in his power not to break it.

And the first thing he had to do to maintain it was to not leave her home without her knowing, so with that, he proceeded to lay down in the strange comfy chair and stared at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to overcome him.

Unfortunately, it wouldn't come, and he just stared blankly at the ceiling. Was this how Miaka felt when she was transported to their world? Already, he began to miss Konan and the other three lands. The fields, lakes, the palace, the trees, and every other village he encountered while travelling… if he only spent a few hours here in this world and already felt the beginnings of homesickness, then what about Miaka who spent months in there? Already, he was beginning to respect his Miko. Maybe her cheerfulness and her ability to devour mountains of food was the sign of her coping with the ways of their world?

He needs to find Miaka and fast. She might know of a way to send him back to his own world. He had to ask for Kagami's help. At least it's a start.

Chichiri sighed and turned to his side, looking for a better view than the blank ceiling. His masked eyes slowly landed on the door Kagami retreated to. A quick check of her ki let him know that she was already sleeping peacefully. Chichiri slowly removed his still-wet mask from his face, feeling the warmth from the 'heater' wash over him. At least she didn't question why his face was still wet even though his whole body was already dry. Maybe she just didn't notice. Either way, he's thankful. He doesn't feel the need to explain why his face was slowly falling off because of the rainwater residue, (he needed to fix it up whenever she was looking away). He also absolutely refused to show her his scar. He's wary of her reaction, and was sure that the moment she saw it, she would kick him out and he would be left wandering all alone in this unknown world.

Kagami… Chichiri glanced at the closed door again, absent-mindedly feeling her sleeping ki behind it. She was a very interesting girl. Only a handful of people would do what she just did, picking up a complete stranger from an alley in the middle of a rain, carrying him to her home, and sleeping vulnerably even with the knowledge that he might just be a bad guy and would stab her in her sleep the moment she closed her eyes. She has complete faith in him, she trusted him to not do all those things, to just stay here in this room and sleep until morning came. She trusted him whole-heartedly, and he would be damned if he broke that already feeble trust, knowing that just the slightest move would be taken as betrayal. He glared determinedly at the door, silently swearing to Suzaku that he would take care of this girl, and would not do anything to break her faith in him.

No matter what.

A/N: I know green eyes exist in the Fushigi Yuugi world, (Tomite has green eyes) but let's just assume that it doesn't and is actually rare. ;)