A/N: Sekowari is back! I'm currently on vacation right now. But I decided to write this fanfic after finishing a book. It inspired me to write this, and the main character in the book is similar to the one in here. The girl -- Yuki Tasuka -- is from modern Tokyo, Japan. Still, I gave her a little of an English way of talking. These are her musings as she gets transported (somehow) into Tougenkyou. Enjoy!

Confessions of the Utterly Superficial

Chapter 1 - A Not-So-Trendy Era

Oh God. Sitting in the most boring office on the face of the earth, receiving boring phone calls from customers. That's my job. I'm a bloody tourist who takes people around the world, looking at scenery. A huge waste of time, in my opinion. My life should be spent dwelling among designer stores and shops. Still, getting paid loads of money to see the world is fine with me as well. Did you know they have some excellent little stores in England? The last time I went, I bought the cutest handmade bag from a sidewalk sale. Quite authentic, mind you. Nothing like those fake designer bags that people fall for.

After getting off work, I must go and buy myself a treat. I mean, after working long hours at the office, I deserve a little something don't I? Yes, a perfect idea. That striped scarf I saw the other day is to die for! Also, a visit to Jacob before their sale ends would be nice. Perhaps I should get new scented candles for my bubble baths. Hmm...Ah yes. I'll stop by 7-11 and get the latest copy of Vogue magazine. They always have those snobbish girls on the covers. Maybe one day, someone will want my picture on the cover. God, yes. They'll love me so much that I'll be on magazines all the time! People will start calling me the Girl on Vogue.

At last, I walk out of the building to my waiting Lexus 330 car. It's such a beauty. My ex-boyfriend Amaro bought it for me as a farewell present when I decided to dump him. Looking back, he was quite a friendly bloke. I mean, who gives presents when you're about to break up?

Tick...Tock...Tick...Tock. Bugger it. Traffic in Tokyo is just hell. I really should start walking to and from work. My doctor advises me to do so. I hear exercise is good for your body. More time passes, and I haven't moved a bit. Bugger it. Now here's something interesting for you. I have a habit of saying 'bugger it' often. Picked it up from my English client at work. She's a snooty old bat. Still, I enjoy the fact that we both hate our manager.

That's it. As much as I hate to say this, I'm afraid it's getting a little late. Traffic is horrid, so I'll have to get myself a treat some other time. I'll buy an extra large cappuccino and cookie at Starbucks first thing tomorrow morning.

Finally, I'm on the highway. The radio is blaring, cars are zooming by, and I'm in my own little time and space. Mmm. Bliss. Crap. Commercials are starting again on the radio. They don't play enough J-Pop anymore. Always commercials...

What? What's that I just heard? Some guy on the radio is talking about a Fortune-Teller Guru. Now that gets me thinking. The place is near my apartment, so to speak. I suppose I should pay a visit and get my fortune told. Maybe I'll win the lottery. No more bloody work for me!

I have arrived! It's a small place, but I'm ready. Inside those closed doors is my future! At long last, I shall be on television, and the world will see me as the Girl who won the Lottery. God, yes. Now wouldn't that be grand?

I open the door, and find myself standing in a tiny, dark room. Just like on TV, really. Perhaps something very cool will happen right here! It'll be on the news, and I'll be famous! Some way or another...

There's a woman sitting before me. With a crystal ball and the whole lot. Not very authentic, on my part. I wonder if this person gets paid a lot.

I sit down on the plushy cushion awaiting me. No chairs, obviously. This must look as traditional as possible. The woman peers at me for a few moments, then says, "And what would you like to know about your future, my dear?"

I'm speechless for a few moments. Gads! That was the most horrifying voice I've ever heard. How can the bloody hag stand to hear herself talk all day? It's like nails scraping against a chalkboard. But soon, I compose myself, sit up straight, and say in the most businesslike voice possible, "I wish to know if I'll ever have a chance of meeting the Saiyuki cast."

...Okay, that was stupid. Ironic, even. But still, it was worth a try. I'm crazy about the anime Saiyuki, and am really dying to see those people in person. Sure, anime doesn't exist, but gurus are supposed to make these things happen, aren't they?

The woman nods intelligently. As if she knows what I'm talking about. Waving her hands over the crystal ball, she mutters a few strange words. A spell, perhaps?

I find myself staring at the ball. I can't tear away from it. My eyes won't move to look at something else. I'm gazing fixedly at the crystal, and suddenly, I feel very woozy. Bugger it. I can't fall asleep here...

Rubbing my eyes, I sit up slowly. It feels as if I've slept for a million years. Blinking a few times, I turn to observe my surroundings. What I see does not make me pleased. What happened to tall buildings, deparment stores, and the lot? It's all gone, and this place looks certainly familiar...

Racking around in my brain, I come up with an answer to this. In theory, I'm currently in...Tougenkyou, perhaps? Yes. In the anime Saiyuki. I can't quite believe it, but there's really nothing else to believe. I guess that woman I went to was a real guru. Not so great on my part, after all.

Standing up and brushing myself off, I stalk off to the town center. It's quite busy here, believe it or not. I don't care much for the ancient scenery here. Seeing through windows of designer stores is much more preferred. Anyways, I've been to China more times than you've been in a shop selling Prada.

Being amongst these Tougenkyou people certainly makes me feel superior. Glancing down at myself, I realize that I do look quite glamorous. I'm wearing my newest Armani top with rolled up sleeves, a black, striped skirt, and knee-high boots with low heels. And miraculously, my hair seems to have flowed down in a perfect manner today. God, yes, I look stunning. Why hasn't one of these people stopped me to take a picture? Oh...right. I'm not in modern Japan anymore. Bugger it.

On the bright side, a few people have started to notice me. At long last. It must be my Gucci watch, which is reflecting the sun's light. That thing cost a fortune, but was definitely worth it.

I see a pretty girl coming my way from the opposite direction. I didn't realize they had Sleeping Beauties back in ancient China. As she gets nearer, she looks me up and down with a disdainful look on her face. God, I want to slap her. She takes one last glance, looks away, and smirks quite bitchily. I feel utterly exposed. How dare she! What, did she think I wouldn't see that?

No matter. It's behind me now. Anyways, did you see that gorgeous cheongsam she was wearing? A soft, light lilac, with golden dragons embroidered on it, and a silver lining. It's a must have. I'll buy an identical cheongsam here. God, yes. Why hadn't I thought of this sooner? I'm a genius! Come to think of it, I don't need money to buy it either. I'll simply bat a few mascara-covered eyelashes, wave my manicured fingers, and the dress is mine. People will start calling me the Girl in the Purple Cheongsam. I'll wear it to Mom's upcoming birthday party. Also, I'll get a matching sakura pin to spice things up a bit. Excellent.

My plans for now include seeing the Sanzo-Ikkou, and of course 'coincidentally' meeting Mr. Toushin Homura. That god's good looks and charm is to die for. In fact, he looks a little like my ex-boyfriend, Amaro, but only better.

I mean, what with those two-coloured eyes (I should really consider getting coloured contacts), that fiery robe, that complimentary top which clearly shows his well-shaped abs, those matching praying beads...Perfect. So perfectly god-like...

A disturbing thought suddenly enters my mind. Now those pants...those pants are insanely unfashionable, no offense. Not trendy at all. Pants are important. They define a person's personality, did you know? Of course you did.

I just know those pants would make his life different. Because he's worn those hideous things all his life, he was forced to date a ditzy girl like Rinrei. That stupid goddess is the living definition of uncool.

I know what I'll do! I'll meet Homura one day, and then in a flourish, I shall dedicate my life to him. I'll follow him all around the world, and be his obedient assistant. We'll learn to accept each other, and who knows? It'll be just like in the movies! I'll serve him, he'll respect me, and then we'll fall in love! Happily ever after! Now how cool is that? I mean, after thinking up this plan, Amaro is so yesterday.

Okay, how to win his heart over...hmmm...I've got it! I'll wear a navy blue kimono, and take a samurai katana with me everywhere. I'll impress him with my martial arts skills (I really have learned it before). Maybe I'll don a sexy French accent, which I learned from my French client at work, and say that I came from the other side of the world. More eyelash batting, more finger waving, and his heart is mine! First thing I'll do is teach him all about proper fashion. No more ugly pants. We'll be stunningly perfect together. He won't even remember who Rinrei was. God, yes. I should have thought of this genius plan earlier.

Bugger it. My scheming plan is interrupted by the most spectacular sight on earth. In front of my eyes is the Sanzo-Ikkou! The Sanzo-Ikkou! Here, in the same town! I must introduce myself to them. I'll say, "Hello, my name is Yuki Tasuka, from Tokyo, Japan. I've come to aid you on your journey to the West. Fear not, for the sutras will be ours!" This is where the French accent comes in. They'll believe me right away. I'll be the beautiful heroine that everyone has daydreams about! I never want to leave Tougenkyou ever again! Saiyuki all the way! God, yes. I'll be spoiled by the entire Sanzo-Ikkou. I bet Sanzo doesn't know that his bitchy attitude only makes him even sexier...

Giddy with excitement, I prepare to waltz up to the Ikkou, only to realize that they're not there anymore. What's this? They've vanished! I turn around frantically, but I'm trapped in-between the bustling crowd of people. Out of the corner of my eyes, I see that purple cheongsam girl. Why does she look like that female who was on Vogue last week? Oh well, I'll give up with the Sanzo-Ikkou thing for now.

Without preparing anything, I get pushed along until I'm at the edge of town. Maybe I'll have a better chance of meeting Homura if I'm constantly on the go.

After hours of painful walking, I finally plonk onto the hard ground in exhaust. Maybe I'll die here, and never get back to Tokyo. No one will ever realize that I've died. Still, it would be in the news. I'd be called the Girl who was never Found. That would be cool, wouldn't it? But I'm not ready to die just yet.

Closing my eyes for a snooze, I luxuriate in comfort as the warmth of the sun plays on my shut eyelids. That is, until I notice that the light has been blocked off. I open my eyes irritably to gaze up at a tall figure. What's this? Blue and Gold? No. It can't be. I daren't think it. Homura?

Just my luck. It is him! I don't know how to react. He's just staring quietly down at me. I feel my face starting to heat up. It's as if I'm an animal in a zoo. That look he gives me turns to a cold smirk. Without hesitant, he makes a grab for my wrists, and pulls me up. What the bung is this? He's dragging me!

Crap, I guess my plan won't work as smoothly as I thought it would. Nevertheless, he's taking me somewhere with him, so I have a chance. I wonder when I should dedicate my life to him. He'll turn all soft and whatnot, and –

I'm abruptly cut off as he horrifyingly throws me over his shoulder and carries me. How ridiculous. He's a war god. He should have killed me instead. Still, the view from his shoulder is quite nice. Looking down, I can see his ass. Ugh. But those pants are a no-no.

The man hasn't said a word, and already I'm in trouble. Forget the plan, I want to live! I start to squirm, only making him grip me even harder. Oh God, those chains on his wrists are pressing onto my bare legs. It really stings, mind you. But I wonder if he ever considered looking up my skirt. I'm much trendier than Rinrei, if he failed to notice. Enough with that. The only plan I'm trying to think up now is how to make it out of this alive.

Curse that bloody guru. Bugger it. This is not good.

A/N: Somehow, my Microsoft Word is acting up in a strange way. The apostrophes and whatnot don't look normal. Oh well, as long as the readers understand what I'm saying, then it's fine with me. Also, please give ideas for upcoming chapters! I'm afraid I'll run out! R/R!