Second Best

Disclaimer: I have no claim on the characters, story or concept of Fushigi Yugi. All I own is a few DVDs, some manga, and this fanfiction.

Summary: Suzaku saw what was about to happen to one of his Seishi, and declared, "This must not happen." Thus, a small change is made. One that leads to ever bigger consequences, until Nuriko finally gets a chance to prove that he's worth more than even he believes.

Chapter 1: A Memory

The sun had long since passed its high point of the day, though it had yet to set over the palace in the capital of Konan. Servants were making their way through their duties somewhat slower than usual, enjoying the surprisingly warm weather that Suzaku had deemed fit to grant them today. For that, so were the gently born, relaxing outside and speaking with each other again and again about the weather. They walked sedately among the roads in the marketplace, through the weaving paths on the palace grounds, and often paused to just admire this last chance to see everything in full bloom before the days darkened into true wintertime.

Only one in the palace was in a hurry. Only one was running.

Korin was late for her meeting with the Emperor- something she had never thought would happen in her last year at the palace. She had been sent for to perform for him, as was the routine in the midst of each month, and she had been happy to comply- only that her choice outfit for the occasion was still soiled from last week, thanks to a foolish maid of hers.

So she had taken longer than she should have worrying about what to wear instead, and had thus been forced to rush through her bath. But her hair- her long, dark hair- had gotten wet in the bath- again, thanks to that foolish maid. And she refused to appear before the Emperor with dripping wet hair. It was… rude, and it was inappropriate.

After all, this was her ruler. Her provider. And, if she was fortunate, her future husband. She didn't dare risk annoying him.

Which was why she was running now, instead of going at the sedate pace of everyone else she saw. This was often the only chance she ever had to see her Emperor, and by Suzaku, she was not going to miss a minute of it. Even if it meant her appearing before him with a slightly flushed face and a bit out of breath.

She came to the end of a corridor, and screeched to a halt. Just about the corner would be the doors to the Emperor's throne room. She could run on the way here, but before him…

She took a deep breath, and then let it out.

"All right, Korin," she whispered. "We can do this. Just relax as before…"

She did her best to arrange her features into what she thought were the most appropriate, took another breath to calm her heart, then stepped around the corner.

"The Emperor has summoned me. Let me pass," she ordered.

One of the guards commented, "You're five minutes late."

"If I become six minutes late, I'll put the entire blame on you," she warned. "His Majesty has been speaking about replacing those who displease him fairly soon."

Which was a complete lie, of course. But it got the two of them to open the be-damn-

She shook her head sharply. A lady doesn't swear, even in her own mind, she told herself.

But sometimes, it was so hard, and she was so tired of being a lady…

Well, no time for that now. The doors were opening, and she had a performance to give.

The room was huge- perhaps a hundred paces long, mayhap forty or so wide- so she couldn't see the Emperor's face just yet. But she saw him there, sitting on his throne, with his chin resting lightly on one hand as he looked off into the distance.

In other words, he was ignoring her.

Her heart plummeted deep down into her belly at the realization. This isn't good, she thought worriedly.

Not good indeed- this was the third time he hadn't so much as looked at the doors to see her entering.

Steady, she told herself. Swallowing, she made her way forward.

The hall was long, and silent. The advisors that usually surrounded the Emperor like wolves around a wounded stag were not present. The only people here was the Emperor, herself, and some guards. And guards rarely had much to say to her, as she was meant only for the Emperor. To reach or touch for a member of the harem was death, at least until his Majesty chose a bride.

Finally, she reached the usual distance, and knelt to bow. "You r Majesty," she murmured respectfully.

The Emperor looked down upon her then, his distant gaze returning to the present. "Lady Korin, thank you for coming," he said politely.

Oh, Suzaku, but he was beautiful. It took a lot of effort not to suck in a breath and hold it. His hair was hidden away by that ridiculous hat, true, but the skin on his face was as smooth and evenly colored as ever. His nose was small, his eyes a warm brown to match his hair. Even in state robes- meant to make anyone look stupid in them- he seemed to radiate with good looks.

She managed to say, "It is always a pleasure, my Emperor. What would you have of me?"

"Always so eager to do your duty, aren't you?" he murmured. "I thought we might speak for a time."

"If that is what you wish."

"It is. Please stand, Lady. You." He glanced at a younger guard. "Get something for the lady to sit on."

The guard raced off.

Korin blinked. Well, this was new. She'd never been invited to sit and speak with him here before. She got to her feet quickly, brushing her dress out so it fell to the ground without so much as a wrinkle.

"How go the affairs within the harem, Lady?"

Korin tilted her head to one side. "Which ones, Your Majesty? The ones you are supposed to know about, or the ones you are not?"

A tiny smile graced his lips as he watched her. "Whichever group has become more interesting."

They spoke for a time about the gossip and rumors going about in the harem. Thrice more, Korin was rewarded with a smile for what she had to say. Once, she could have sworn those strong shoulders shook with suppressed laughter at something she'd implied- a miracle, as she had never gotten him to do that before.

Towards the end, she spoke briefly about her maid and apologized for taking so long to come.

"Do not worry yourself, Lady Korin. It does not do to fill your face with wrinkles when you are so young," the Emperor said.

Korin felt a bit indignant about that. "I am seventeen, Emperor," she protested.

"My point precisely." The Emperor then looked away. "And Lady Korin, please address me as Hotohori, if you will. I tire of being referred to as merely an Emperor."

Korin blinked again. "As you wish, E- Hotohori-sama," she stammered.

"I do." Then he sighed. "Anyway, do not trouble yourself about being late. I had something on my mind anyway."

"Oh?" Korin asked, still wondering at what he had just said. Call him… by his Seishi name? What a thought! And how sudden! Could this be… Could I possibly…?

He glanced back at her. "My advisors have been nagging at me about a certain issue as of late, and it always perturbs me when they all agree on something," he said.

Korin covered her confusion by glancing away, down at those silly shoes he had to wear. Only someone like Hotohori-sama could get away with wearing such shoes without being laughed at.

She knew very well what his advisors always nagged him about. That was why she was here. That was why the harem was here. That was the whole point of her coming to speak with him once a month- to find an appropriate bride and produce an heir as soon as possible.

"I see," she said, finally. Then she looked up and saw the sun was beginning to set. Still wondering what, exactly, was going on, she blurted, "Hotohori-sama, it is almost time for the evening meal. Perhaps I could perform for you before you eat?"

"What?" He blinked, as though he'd been woolgathering again. "I beg your pardon, Lady Korin, but what did you say?"

"I asked if you wished for my to perform before the evening meal?"

"Oh, no, I would not invite a lady to exercise and then have no appetite for tonight's meal," Hotohori responded.

Korin's heart plummeted again. "As you will, my Emperor." Even though I perfected this dance just for you….

"Do you feel anything changing lately?" Hotohori suddenly asked.

"Your Majesty?"

"Something has been… stirring. You know, of course, why I am known as Hotohori."

Korin nodded. "Because you are one of the god Suzaku's chosen."

"Just so, though sometimes I forget its significance, especially when I do not feel my symbol awakening."

To her surprise, the Emperor pulled his collar away from his neck. There, she saw the symbol flaring. It was a wonder she had not seen it before.

"Do you know what it means?" he asked her. Then, "No, I suppose you don't. It means that our priestess is coming."

"Priestess?" Korin asked blankly.

"Yes. Our Suzaku no miko will finally arrive and help us save Konan," he said. "From Kutou, from any invaders at all. We will be safe from invasion for a time after her arrival."

Korin simply stared.

After a moment, Hotohori ran a fingernail along his symbol, and murmured, "And, perhaps, she will save me too."

Perhaps Hotohori did not notice how suddenly open his expression was. Perhaps he knew and didn't realize how Korin felt about him. Or perhaps he knew all and just did not care. Whatever the case, Korin was suddenly confronted with a reality she hadn't thought possible.

Those warm, dark eyes were suddenly filled with a great hope, and a greater love…

But it was not at her.

It was at this… this… this unknown Priestess of Suzaku. This stranger that no one had ever heard of, save from the legend. That no one knew, but that the warriors of Suzaku supposedly would upon sight.

There was rage, then. How dare he bring her here, to treat her so kindly and then- so bluntly, so carelessly!- throw this in her face. Not when she'd dreamed of him, when she'd gone out of her way to find out the foods he liked, the music he enjoyed, and what made him smile.

Then, there was sadness. She had never met the Suzaku no miko, but she had already lost Hotohori to her. And by the look in those eyes, she had lost Hotohori forever.

Thankfully, even when lost in thought, Korin was good at hiding what she truly felt, and so steeled herself to keep a smile pasted on her face. "It will be interesting to meet this priestess of ours," she said.

Again, Hotohori started. "Yes, yes it will," he agreed. "Lady Korin, thank you for coming. I must ready for the evening meal, as you said."

Korin rose, automatically bowed to him, and said the usual pleasantries one said to one's Emperor.

Then she walked, quite calmly, all the way to her quarters in the harem.

It was only then that Korin transformed from a cool, collected flower of the Emperor into a young boy, his face twisted with rejection and grief and hopelessness.

After locking his door, Ryuuen threw himself onto his bed and started to weep.

Nuriko stirred, feeling a gentle touch of something wet trailing down his left cheek. Tears…?

He would have frowned if he could have. That incident had happened months ago. Why was it that he was recalling it now? When he had finally admitted that it was Miaka he loved, and wanted to protect above all?

Why was the pain from that incident still so powerful?

But his thoughts were sluggish, and his body felt exhausted. Deciding he would figure it all out in the morning, he squirmed slightly into a slightly more comfortable position and let himself fall back asleep.

Never realizing that the memory had sprung from a beautiful, if frightened-looking figure sitting at his bedside, murmuring the whole tale in his ear.

So ends chapter one.