Well, this is my second attempt at Fushigi fan fiction. I actually wrote a story about Nakago, but I then discovered that all my facts where wrong and trashed it. This one looks a little more promising, but I decided to write the first part and post it up to see if anyone liked it. Yeah, I made up some new stuff that wasn't in the original FY story…but this is fan fiction! I can do that! By the way, all FY characters belong to Watase Yu, not me, lucky for you. Of course, my characters belong to me, but no one cares about that, do they? Well, on with the story, and here's another BTW: This story takes place in the book, about a year before Miaka and Yui were drawn into it.




"Whoa!" The carriage slowed to a halt and Hibari opened her green eyes and sat up straighter. Nantar, sitting across from her, was looking out the window when the golden-haired general appeared next to the carriage.

"Where are we, General?" Nantar asked him while Hibari smoothed the imaginary wrinkles in her skirt.
He stared straight ahead as he answered, not looking at them. "We are about ten miles outside the capital of Konan. We are taking a short rest before continuing to the palace." As he spoke, he dismounted his horse and took off his helmet.

Nantar nodded, satisfied with their quick progress, and Hibari put her hand on the door handle. It opened easily, so unlike her regular carriage, which was old and falling apart. But her father had ordered the best carriage for her this time, determined to show the emperor of Konan that Kutou was well-off and therefore not obligated to send any ambassadors with petty royal advisors and emotionless generals. Hibari guessed that he had sent the finest carriage and clothes with her to somewhat hide the fact that Kutou had sent a woman as an ambassador. Although she was a princess, she was still a woman, and a generally ignored one at that.

She stepped down from the carriage, ignoring the hand that the general offered her. She chided herself for not remembering his name, then decided that she did not need to address him by it and therefore, it didn't matter.

"I would like to walk around for a bit." She said to him, not really caring whether or not he approved. Although she was the official ambassador, she knew who was really in charge. The general turned to Nantar, who nodded in permission. Hibari sighed exasperatedly as the general took her arm and walked with her.

As they walked, he asked, "How long is your Highness planning to stay in Konan?"

She straightened her shoulders before answering. "As long as necessary, general. I have a job to do here, and I shall not leave until it is done."

"As you wish, Princess." He replied, then said no more.

After Hibari had stretched her legs, she headed back to the carriage, once again ignoring the hand he offered. Once she was in the carriage, he remounted his horse and they departed once more.

When they reached the capital of Konan, Hibari leaned out the window to see better. It was a lovely city, and the palace reminded her of home. As they entered the city, she saw that all the people looked happy, running around and working hard.

That's why Konan is so different from Kutou, she thought bitterly. Our people are never happy.

Suddenly, they arrived at the palace gates. Hibari quickly ran her fingers through her dark brown hair, as Nantar reached under the carriage seat and took out a large box and handed it to her. In it was her crown. She had never worn it before, and with good reason. Now, with a little nervousness, she took it from him and placed it upon her head. I hope it stays, she thought quickly as she untied her traveling cloak and left it on the seat next to her. She shoved the box back under the seat as Nantar got out of the carriage and stood next to the door.

"Are you ready, Highness?" Nantar asked.

Hibari took a deep breath. "As ready as I shall ever be."

The advisor turned and announced her. This time, she took his hand as she stepped out of her carriage. Looking up, she saw about fifty royal guards, standing in two straight rows. At the end of the long row of guards stood the most beautiful man she had ever seen in her life.