Keiko Takashi walked into her small apartment and sighed. She took her shoes off and placed her keys and purse on the book shelf near the door, then walked to the couch and flopped down.

"I'm just not cut out for dating," the pre-med student mumbled to herself.

Her friend, Hiro, kept trying to set her up with guys, but the dates always flopped. Keiko was tired of the whole thing. She'd always felt that there was a man out there for her, but now at 25 and still single, she was beginning to wonder. The phone rang and Keiko reluctantly stood and made her way to the kitchen.

"Moshi moshi," she answered.

"Keiko-chan," Hiro's voice sounded cheerily in her ear. "How was the date?"

Keiko sighed and pulled the elastic from her hair, allowing the waist length tresses to fall loose.

"It was awful."

"What happened? I thought for sure you'd like Ken."

"He tried to kiss me. It's just not my thing on the first date."

She heard Hiro swear under his breath. "I told him not to do that."

"I really appreciate what you're trying to do for me Hiro-kun, but I don't want you to line me up with anyone anymore."

"Hai, Keiko-chan. It never seems to work out anyway. I just want to help you find the perfect guy. I gotta screen 'em all for ya, ya know."

Keiko managed a smile. "I know. I'll send my future prospective dates your way."

"Oyasumi, Keiko-chan."

"Oyasumi nasai, Hiro."

Keiko hung up and leaned against the counter. Silent tears slid down her cheeks. She was grateful to Hiro. He had always looked out for her, ever since grade school. He had even proposed to her at one time, but she had turned him down. He wasn't the man she was looking for. At times she wondered if the man she was meant to marry even existed in her world.

She wiped the tears from her cheeks and moved to the bathroom. She ran the bath nice and hot, then left it to fill as she gathered her CD player and some of her favorite music. When the bath was full she added her favorite salts and oils and then climbed in to soak. The hot water, coupled with the soothing music had her drowsing in mere moments. Her mind drifted and she found herself flying over a vast country. Rice patties and small villages passed under her weightless body. She watched men and women go about their daily tasks in peace. A part of her yearned to stop and stay with these simple, yet happy people.

A city, the largest she'd seen yet came into view and she descended into an elaborate courtyard of what looked to be an imperial palace. Not far from her a man in courtly robes stood with his back to her. Keiko's breath caught. There was something so familiar about him.

"Who are you?" she asked.

She knew she was being rude, not introducing herself, but she had to know. He turned partially toward her. She couldn't see most of his face, but the smile on his lips was heartbreakingly familiar.

"Onegai," she called, taking a step toward him. "What is your name?"

"I want to change the world!"

Keiko sat up in the bath with a gasp. Her CD player was blaring a V6 song. With a groan she lay back in the cool bath. How long had she been asleep? She stood up and pulled a towel around her slim form and used another one to pull her hair atop her head. She turned off the CD player and stood looking at herself in the cloudy mirror. A young woman with sad brown eyes stared back at her.

"You don't look so good kiddo," she said to her reflection.

Keiko sighed and left the bathroom, flicking the light off. She moved into the bedroom and pulled out her favorite pair of silk pajamas. Then she climbed into bed with a worn teddy bear that she'd had since childhood.

"What should I do, Hoshi?" she asked the bear.

It stared back at her with glass eyes. Keiko smiled and hugged the bear tight.

"Oyasumi nasai, Hoshi," she murmured before turning off the bedside light and drifting into sleep.

. . . . . . . . . .

Keiko was awakened by a light. A deep crimson light that seemed to fill her room until there was nothing but her and the light. A voice spoke to her out of the brilliance.

I have need of thee.

Keiko looked around, but only saw red.

"What do you want?"

I have need of thee, the voice said in fading tones.

Keiko felt herself falling and closed her eyes with a scream. She landed on something soft and curled into a ball.

"Pretty lady," a genki voice said.

"Is she sleeping?" asked another voice very similar to the first one.

"Maybe she got hurt?" a third voice said.

"We'll fix her!" yet another voice said.

Keiko sat up and looked around. She was on a large silk cushion and surrounded by what looked like little girls with teal hair and red dresses.

"Where am I?" Keiko asked.

"Taikyou-zan," one of the girls said.

"Home of Taiitsu-kun," another girl offered.

"Land of the Four Gods," still another squealed.

"Knock it off!" a thunderous voice shouted.

The girls all squealed and scattered. Keiko found herself looking at the ugliest woman she'd ever seen.

"Sunakake Baba!" Keiko shrieked.