Disclaimer: I own nothing but Eri/ Hu-li
Universe of the Four Gods
Part One: Priestess of Suzaku
My archery practice ran late as I hurried over to the library where I am supposed to meet my little sister Miaka and her best friend Yui. They asked me to help them study for high school entrance exams. They want to attend Jonai where I am currently enrolled. Finally at the library looking around for them, letting out a sigh when I noticed Miaka at the vending machines. Sneaking behind her, "Miaka you know mom doesn't like you snacking between meals. You're going to get fat."
She shrieked causing her to drop the coin spinning around to face me. "Oh Eri you scared me." She growled placing her hand to her heart. Chuckling as I went over to retrieve the coin. Standing up turning to face her when I came face to face with a man very handsome man surrounded by a red light.
"Daughter of Suzaku bring the priestess safely to Konnan." He said then disappeared. Snapping out of my stupor seeing Miaka going up the stairs. Quickly following her to a "reference room for old literature books."
"Miaka what are you doing?" Asking when we heard flapping behind the door. Yui came up to us.
"What's going on?" She asked as Miaka opened the door. Going in looking around when a book fell to the floor. Going over to it carefully picking up the old book. Blowing off the dust covering the front. Looking it over as a slight tingle radiated from it.
"What is it Eri?" Miaka asked.
"It's called "The Universe of the Four Gods". Looks like a story about ancient China." Reading the cover of the book.
"I wish we knew what it said." Miaka complained.
Turning the page I started reading. "There by which the girl of legend opening the door which lead to another world." Looking up at Miaka as she gasped.
"Wow Eri I didn't know you could read old Chinese." She exclaimed. Her outburst caused Yui and I to fall to the floor with sweat drops.
"Miaka you do remember I was born in China and was there until I was five after all. Of course I can read it." She smirked in embarrassment.
"Oh yeah." Flipping the page there was a drawing of a bird. "That's it. That's the bird I saw." I continued to read the book.
"This is the story of a girl who made her dreams come true after she gathered the eight stars of Suzaku. She was granted extraordinary powers. The story itself is a spell whoever reads it through will be granted a wish just like the girl in the story. The story becomes real the moment the first page is turned." Looking up from the book to the girls.
"What does that mean?" Yui asked touching my right shoulder to get a better look at the book as Miaka hovered over my left.
"Don't ask me! How the heck would I know?" Miaka whined.
Then a bright red light illuminated from the book turning red. All three of us screamed as it covered us in the light. A sensation of falling hit my senses. A bright red bird flew towards me then shifted into the man I saw back at the vending machines. "Daughter of Suzaku continue to protect the priestess as you have done for in the many years. He disappeared and I blacked out.
When I came to nothing looked familiar. We weren't in the library anymore. Looking around noticing I still had my archery stuff with me. Then I saw Miaka and Yui not too far from me. Scrambling over to them as they started regaining consciousness.
"What is this place?" Yui asked. Then she elbowed Miaka in the head.
Then Miaka punched her in the face. Causing me to sweat drop and become annoyed.
"What are you two numbskulls doing? Yelling at them as they groaned in pain.
"That hurts too much to be a dream." Yui explained. Then Miaka started complaining about how there is no food and it was a nightmare.
"All you can think about is eating!" Yui and I yelled at her. Sighing as I placed my head to my head as a headache started to form from her idiotic tendencies. Out of the corner of my eye a man grabbed Yui as another came at me. "Snap out of it Miaka! Yui's in trouble!"
She turned around as three men with weapons stared at us. "Let her go I demanded quickly pulling out my bow and an arrow notched and ready to fly.
"We can sell her at top price." One snickered causing my blood to boil.
"Oh are you Chinese acrobats?" Miaka asked. I sweat dropped at her oblivious nature.
"Are you stupid? We are human slave traders." One yelled at her.
"And today's our lucky day." The other one holding Yui said. Looking at Miaka as we nodded. She started running and charged him. She made direct contact head butting him knocking him off his feet and letting go of Yui.
The third guy came towards me as I sent the arrow flying into his left arm missing his vitals. "I wouldn't make another move scum bag or this one is going straight to your heart." I threaten with my arrow pointed directly at him. "Run Yui, Miaka!" But I didn't notice the boss creeping up behind me. Then I heard grunting behind me. Looking seeing a boy around my age pulling his arm that held a sword behind his back.
Stop it now." The boy demanded. A warm sensation traveled through me then a burning sensation began on my left wrist as a character for fox appeared.
He began to fight the men single handedly. One man grabbed my bow throwing it. My body began to move as if on its own as I began fighting them single handedly as well. We fell into a type of rhythmic pattern.
We defeated the slave traders as they went running. I located my bow picking it up making sure it wasn't damaged. Going back to the girls seeing the boy bending down next to them. "Hi there are you two alright?" He asked them.
"Yeah. Thank you for helping us out. You to Eri you were amazing." Yui exclaimed. Then the boy held out his hand and moving his fingers as if saying pay up.
"I prefer money to thank you." Falling to the ground and his audacity to make us pay. "Oh man don't tell me I rescued a couple of losers. Come on now girls' money makes the world go round." Getting up he started leaving as Yui and I went after him.
"You greedy, self-centered, jerk. We didn't need your help I had it all under control!" I yelled at him. He just waved me off and continued to walk away. Scowling at his back turning back towards Miaka helping her up. Then looked around for Yui who I sworn was right behind me. "Hey where's Yui?
"I don't know but where's that guy who saved us?" She looked around not seeing him. I huffed.
"He walked off. Let's go find Yui." We started walking in the direction that was somehow pulling me towards. Almost as if I knew the way.
"Eri? How much longer are we going to keep walking?" Miaka whined. Sighing as I looked behind at her.
"We have only been walking for five minutes Miaka." Looking ahead seeing a cart full of hay being driven by a horse. "Come on lets go." Quickly and quietly sneaking up to the cart getting in as the man continued in the direction we were walking in.
After about an hour we made it to the city that for some reason I knew where we were. "Where are we?" Miaka asked.
"Konnan." All of a sudden a vision flashed before my eyes. It was me as a little girl playing ball with and a little boy. We were following a beautiful woman through the city, this city.
"Hu-li, Kishuku don't get lost, stay by me. I don't want anything to happen to you, my precious treasures," the woman called behind her.
"Eri? What's wrong you're crying?" Miaka called snapping me out of the memory placing my hand to my face feeling the tears.
"Just had a tiny glimpse of my past. I think I have a brother." Wiping my eyes as Miaka hugged me. Then her stomach growled ruining the moment. But to be fair it has been a while since we had anything to eat.
"Stay here I will go get us something to eat and a change of clothing. If we stay in our clothes we will stick out like a pair of sore thumbs. Here hang on to these." Handing her my bow and arrows taking a look around. Finding a stall with beautiful outfits going up to the merchant.
Looking over the clothes and how exquisite everything was made and the intricate patterns showing off dragons and flowers. Simply gorgeous. "You have great tastes my lady. Only the finest silks in all of Konnan Empire." He looked me up and down. "You have strange outfit something I have never seen before. Are you traveling?" The owner of the stall asked.
"Yes my sister and I are from overseas. And someone stole our property. I'm afraid I don't have any cash." He glared at me meaning that nothing was free. "Will you be willing to trade me two outfits and some cash for these?" Showing him my emerald and pearl earrings. Glancing down at my hand his eyes seemed to bug for just a moment.
"Of course my lovely lady. Pick two outfits and how's five silver ryo?" He asked starting to reach out for my hand. Pulling it back thinking that it wasn't such a good deal.
"Old man. Those earrings are worth twenty gold, fifteen silver and ten bronze ryo. Don't let him fool you." Someone said behind me. Turing around seeing that it was the boy from earlier.
"Trade me what he said and these will be yours." Waving my hand in front of him. He nodded and got me the money as I picked out the outfits. A pretty dress with blossoms on it. And for me a pair of pants and a robe type shirt with a belt. There was a fox embroidered on the robe which is my favorite animal. The man handed me the money and gave him the earrings.
"Thank you so much kind sir." Bowing to him then started walking towards a food stand when the boy came over plucking some money from my bag. "Hey! Give that back!" Chasing him through the streets.
"Call it compensation from earlier!" He shouted behind him.
Growling in frustration. "Wait until I get my hands on you…" Trying to think of a name to call him when, "Kishuki!" Yelling at him. He suddenly stopped dead in his tracks causing me to plow right into him.
"What did you call me?" Barking at me catching me off guard. "I don't remember telling you my name."
Trying to think of why I called him that which it felt natural to call him that. Like I have always known that's what his name was. Then a scream came from a distance. "Miaka!" Turning the other way as both of us raced to find where Miaka was.
Kishuku motioned for me to follow him as we climbed a roof over looking four men and Miaka. One of them hovered over her pinning her to the ground. Going to go after them when he stopped me. Then throwing a rock hitting him in the head.
"Hey! Who's there?" He growled looking up at us.
"Eri! Help me!" she cried. The guy holding her tightened his grip choking her. Pissing me off. Feeling a burning sensation in my wrist showing the fox character again.
"It takes four men to handle one girl. Come on. Let's make the odds more even." He jumped as I followed after him. We fought well together, both of us in perfect sync just like we had earlier that day fighting the human slave traders.
Once the men were beaten they ran away leaving just the three of us standing there. Turning to Miaka who looked to be on the verge of tears. But I beat her to it.
"Miaka what the hell!" Starting to cry. "I told you to stay put I was so scared."
"I'm sorry Eri. Thanks again for saving me..." Miaka started to say to the guy from earlier.
"It's alright you both are safe. Oh yeah I heard you were looking for me?"
"That's right. I need you to tell me what happened to my friend Yui right now." She looked at him. He looked confused.
"Yui? Who's that? You?" Pointing at me as I shook my head.
"I'm Eri her sister." Pointing at Miaka.
"Yui is my friend. The girl we were with. She has the same uniform as me." She bellowed loudly. He thought for a moment.
"Nope no idea. So long," He tried to leave when she tackled him to the ground. "Alright I give up." She let him go as he looked back at her.
"You know where she went? Please tell me." Miaka shouted.
"How should I know?" Then he got up and started to book it causing me to sweat drop and sigh as my little sister chased him.
Changing quickly into my new outfit buying a sack to put my items in. Braiding my long dark green hair tying it with a piece of leather I purchased when I heard Miaka shout "Stand up and be a man." Oh boy not a good sentence to shout at someone.
"You have no right to say that. A man gets paid for his service." Placing his hand in front of her. "You can pay up or shut up." Ouch not very gentlemanly about that not at all. Going up to them as Miaka grew even louder.
"Money again. Is that all you ever think about? Money, money, money!" Shouting at the top of her lungs. "Is that all you ever think about?"
"Yup sure is." He flat out said.
"Oh no. Don't tell me you sold Yui to slave traders." She shrieked. Sweat dropping as she jumped to conclusions.
"Miaka I don't think he would do something like that." Trying to calm her down.
"How do we know? All this time he's selling girls. You scoundrel!" She's drawing way to much attention toward us. He's trying to shut her up as she goes nutty. Starts shouting that he's a slave trader.
"Miaka shut up." Trying to stop her but he jumps her places his hand over her mouth and runs off as I follow him trying to laugh it off. "Siblings what am I going to do with them." Trying to dispel the awkwardness that she created. Following them when he suddenly stopped dropping her on her butt.
Catching up to them when she started giving him her crocodile tears. Oh boy he's going to fall for it. "It's a lot of hard work finding people." He argued. Then a group of people dressed in armor guarding someone riding in the palanquin.
"What's the parade for?" Miaka asked.
"It's for the emperor of Konnan" He explained to us.
"It's so beautiful." Miaka exclaimed. Nodding in agreement as I shifted my new bag and my bow on my arms.
"Oh man I wish I could have that imperial crown. Or even one of the jeweled ornaments from it would be alright with me." Kishuku said in a dreamy voice.
"Is the emperor that wealth?" She asked causing me to sweat drop.
"Obviously he is the emperor Miaka." I told her.
"Oh I know I am going to ask the emperor if I can have one of his ornaments. Then you can help me and Eri find Yui." She told him. This can't be good.
"Sure." He told her. She turned and started to leave.
"No Miaka, this is not a good idea. Please don't do it." Pleading with her.
"I have to. He's the last one to see Yui."
She ran between people and started to walk beside the emperor and started talking to him.
"Damn it Miaka." Going back to Kishuku. Glaring at him. "This is all your fault. What are we going to do?"
"She's crazy!" He shouted. Then she tripped causing her to fall forward grabbing on to a sash only ripping it as she fell on her but. The guards surrounded her. Face palming this isn't good.
Smoke bombs were thrown as he went after her. Picking her up and carrying her away but not far enough. Rushing over to them as he introduced himself but told us to call him Tamahome.
"I'm Miaka Yuki and this is my sister Eri. Thank you so much for helping us look for Yui." Miaka introduced us formally now. "How can I ever repay you?"
"Don't worry. I know how." He said kissing her head. I thought it was sweet but also big sister roll I'm going to have to keep an eye on them.
Just then the smoke cleared completely. "Here they are found them. Now there's a third!" A guard yelled. Shit this isn't good. "Attack now!" As the guards came closer the same red light that engulfed us back in the library appeared again.
Watching as Miaka started to disappear. "Miaka!" Trying to get to her but the light was just so bright I could barely see. "Miaka!" Then she came back as if nothing ever happened. The guards arrested them pushing past me and leading them away.
Managing to follow them and dodge the guards making my way into the palace grounds. Now all I have to do is locate the prison and get those two out. Of all the trouble Miaka has put me and our brother into this is the worst.
Running around a pound only to run into a beautiful young man sending me off my
balance and right into the pound the guy laughed holding out his hand to help me out.
"You alright? Who are you looking for beautiful maiden?" asking me as I wrung the water out of my clothes.
"Looking for my sister. She and a friend of ours was taken here." Looking at me he then pointed in the opposite way.
"They were taken to the prison. I hope we meet again my wet friend." Chuckling as he put his hand out for mine.
"My name is Eri, sir." Introducing myself to him as he kissed my hand.
"They call me Hotohori." Letting go of my hand bowing a little and headed in the direction he pointed to.
Quickly running through the halls as quietly as I could when I ran right into someone knocking me flat on my back. "Ouch" Groaning in pain sitting up. Seeing who I just ran into was Tamahome. "You're out? How? Where is Miaka?"
"I don't know we got separated, shh." Grabbing my hand pulling me toward a pillar. Hiding from the guards running passed us. Once they were out of sight he let me go. Running to the courtyard seeing the guards.
"This isn't good. Run!" He shouted to me.
"You think!" Running away from the guards only to be caught and tied together. They lead us to the court yard yelling at us to tell them where the witch was. They grabbed Tamahome's hair pulling it trying to get him to talk.
"There are ways to get you to talk. Hmm... This one is awfully cute. Why don't you tell your boyfriend to give up the witch and we'll let you both go free." One guard asked grabbing my face.
"That witch is my sister. So watch your mouth." Biting him as he howled only to slap my face.
"No stop!" It was Miaka. "Don't hurt them!" She shouted coming towards us.
"No you idiot stay back!" Tamahome shouted. "They'll only capture you again!"
"No I can't let them hurt you!" She shouted but was caught by the guards.
"Eri! Tamahome!" She shouted for us.
"Let her go! She's only a child," tears streaked from my eyes as they were hurting her. My wrist started to burn and the rope bond burst at the same time Tamahome's. We fought off the guards and stood in front of Miaka.
"If anyone touches her again I will kick your asses." He threatened.
"Double goes for me. No one touches my little sister." Taking her hand in mine.
"Stop! I command you leave them be!" Someone shouted causing us to look back seeing that it was Hotohori. The one who helped me from the pound. "No one is to touch them without my permission. Do you understand me?"
"Who the hell are you?" Tamahome asked pointing.
"It's the emperor." A guard said. My jaw just dropped as my head tried grasp that this wonderful man is the emperor.
"The real emperor?" Tamahome bowed quickly. "Sire." I too took to my knees bowing to his highness. But Miaka just stood there.
"Miaka!" I growled at her.
"Hotohori is the emperor?" She was shocked. "Such a young and beautiful woman rules here." Her outburst had me on my side as her obliviousness struck again.
"You idiot. Are you blind? Can't you see that the emperor is a man?" Tamahome chastised her.
"Uh-uh." She disagreed.
"Miaka you really are dumb." Sighing in frustration.
"Get your head down know!" Tamahome shouted at her again.
Glancing up seeing that she was grouping his highness. "MIAKA!" Screeching at the top of my lungs at how much audacity she has.
"You're right you're flat alright." Tamahome and I went up to her both of us hitting her in the head pulling her back from his highness.
"I'm so sorry your highness." Bowing to him.
We were lead back to the throne room as he took his seat in front of us and we all took a knee. "I'm sorry Miaka, Eri to have deceived you. I wanted to determine your purpose here Miaka. And your personality. And found out that you are not a witch at all or our enemy."
"So you won't hurt us." She blurted out.
"No I gave you my word of honor. However I do have a favor to ask. Miaka, will you save our Konnan Empire. There is an ancient prophecy that tells of a time that the empire is in danger of being ruined by a colossal disturbance. A girl from another world appears and through the powers of Suzaku eradicates catastrophe."
"I think you have made a mistake. I'm just a junior high student. Maybe this girl you're looking for is Eri. She's from the other world as well." Miaka pretty much threw me under the bus. Glaring at her when Hotohori continued.
"You do not what the powers of Suzaku? To wish for something?" He asked her.
"To wish for?" She repeated. She was thinking then all of a sudden started spouting nonsense like a super model body, boys and of course food.
"Those are baby wishes. But if that is what you wish." Hotohori explained.
"I'll do it."
"Miaka you really need to think things through first." Whispering to her. She shook her head.
"My minds made up. I am doing it." She repeated. Sighing giving up she was hopeless. "I will take up being the priestess of Suzaku. And have my wishes be fulfilled."
"Then let it be proclaimed. That here is the one Miaka Yuki. The savor of our empire. The priestess of Suzaku." Hotohori exclaimed. Everyone bowed to her including me this wasn't going to be an easy task I just had a feeling that we have started a dangerous journey.
Standing up we were given rooms and new outfits filling our wardrobes. Miaka came up to my room. "Eri I almost forgot to tell you that Yui made it home."
"That's good. I was so worried about her. She is like another little sister to me. I would never forgive myself if she were ever hurt and I wasn't there to beat someone to a pulp." Miaka hugged me.
"I'm so glad that you are here Eri." She sobbed a bit.
Hugging her back moving her hair from her face. "Me too Miaka."
A/N: Thanks for reading my first Fushigi Yuugi story. Please R&R also not to sure who to pair up Eri. Any suggestions would be nice. Thinking either Hotohori, Chichiri or Tasuki. Looking forward to going on this adventure with everyone. Until next chapter Enjoy.