I know the first chapter was a little awkward, but it was just to get the story started. It should flow much better from now on.
Inspiration: Welcome to Mystery- The Plain White T's
They had been falling for some time when – THUD! They landed on the ground, Miaka lying haphazardly on Shay.
"Miaka, you pig, get off me." Shay moaned and pushed Miaka off to the side. Raising her body to a sitting position, she rubbed the back of her head. Damn that hurt. Looking around, she saw desert, and a few scraggly trees, and a cluster of buildings in the distance. "So… where are we? Must be a dream. That bird must have flown out and scared us for us to be dreaming. "Miaka….. Get up." She turned and looked at her friend, noticing a strange lack of movement or shouting coming from the smaller girl. Sighing, Shayla flipped her braid over her shoulder before heaving Miaka onto her back, in a vague form of the piggyback.
I am so glad I exercise. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to carry her. Her thoughts were distracted by men coming up to the two of them.
"Hey skinny. Whatcha doing out here?" The taller of the two leered at Shay, even though she was nearly as tall as him. The other man circled them, leering as well. "They both got strange clothes on, Thero. We could charge a lot for them. Especially the foreigner." Shay stiffened, as she realized they were talking about her.
"Not on your life, assholes. Just try and do something." She growled at the two.
"Ooh, she's fiery. Boss might wanna keep her for himself." It was at this very inopportune moment that Miaka decided to wake up.
"Shay… What happened?" She raised her head and noticed the two men looking lecherous.
"Miaka, run. Now. Head for those buildings." Shay spoke to her in English, as she set Miaka on the ground.
As her feet began moving, Shayla threw a kick into the short man's face knocking him over, and made a beeline for the other man, hoping to give Miaka enough time to run away.
"Hey! Stop!" He shouted after Miaka as the taller girl tackled him like in American football. His head connected with the ground with a sickening crunch. Shit. Her hands were pinned under his body, and as she struggled, the other guy started getting up. Shit. Shit. Shit. Finally, she managed to roll him over a little to get out a hand and wiggled the other away.
"Where do you think you're going?" A hand grabbed the back of her cardigan.
"Uhm… running away." Shay slipped her arms from the sleeves and bolted, thanking all the Gods that she had been on the track team. Miaka had been long gone for now, and she kept up her pace towards the buildings, only to run smack into another person. She nearly fell on her butt, but he grabbed her arms to keep her from falling. He stared at Shay with purple-grey eyes. And then she spat in his face.
"Hey! I won't bother saving you if you're going to treat me like that!" And when he let go, she really did fall on her butt. "I didn't ASK to be saved, thank you. I was doing just fine on my own!" She glared up at him, noticing his hair was a strange blue color.
"Hey skinny! Bet you're regretting that ain't cha?" The two men lumbered up on them, and stopped short when they saw the boy looming over the foreign girl.
Springing into action, he quickly dispatched the two of them, and turned back to Shayla, a smile on his face and an ancient Chinese character glowing on his forehead.
"Money? I did save you, twice now." He squatted down on her level, and smiled. She was shocked. By that weird, glowing character. It was freaky. So she didn't really know what she was doing when she reached into her pocket, and pulled out a ¥ 2,000 banknote. He snatched it out of her hand and unfolded it, looking it over incredulously.
"Have you seen my friend? She's short, with brown hair in two buns?" Shayla questioned him, as she hadn't seen Miaka in a while.
"Yeah, she was the one who told me you were in trouble. Come to think of it…. After she said something, she disappeared." Holding the banknote up to the light, he peered at it. "What is this? It doesn't look like any money I've ever seen."
"It's yen. Have you never seen yen?" The green-eyed girl stood up and brushed off her pants. "This way?" Pointing the way he appeared from, Shay began walking towards what must be a small town.
"Yeah. But at least let me walk with you. A foreigner like you won't last very long." He stood up fluidly, and walked next to her.
Miaka had been standing, watching that boy run after Shay, when a red light surrounded her and buoyed her into the air. It was only seconds later when she found herself sitting on the floor of the library.
"Shay?" She spoke into the quiet air. She looked around, only to find that she was, indeed alone. Looking down, she noticed the book that they were reading was open. She picked it up and began picking through the ancient Chinese, thankful that Shay had been teaching her.
"The girl walked to the town, with the boy who had the character for ogre on his forehead. The girl was looking for her companion, who seemed to have disappeared into thin air." Miaka looked at the illustration on the next page, and saw that the girl in the picture was dressed just like Shay, even down to the piercings on her face. Miaka began reading again.
"The boy questioned her about her strange appearance…"
"So what's up with your face?" The blue-haired boy motioned to his mouth, apparently trying to mimic her snakebites.
"They're called snakebites. They're piercings. And stop calling me you and whatever. I'm Shayla. Call me Shayla." She spat at him, nervous because she hadn't seen Miaka in a while.
"Snakebites? You're poisoned?" He stood awkwardly until Shay stopped and pulled one out.
"They're metal. It's for decoration where I come from." She poked it back through her skin, wincing slightly. "And what's your name? I don't wanna call you ogre-boy. That seems slightly cruel."
"I'm Sou Kishuku. But everyone calls me Tamahome." He looked astounded at her face, and noticed her ears. "How many piercings do you have? And where are you from?"
"I have 19. And I'm from Japan. It's an island off the coast of China."
"Well, you're in China now." He walked next to her in silence. He's thinking it over I guess. Whatever. I'm getting worried about Miaka. Wait a minute…. Is that her?
"Shay! Shay! I'm safe! I'm back in the library!" Wait…. I can hear her. "Miaka!"
"I'm fine Shay, but you're in the book. I don't know if there's any way for you to get out besides going on through…"
And as suddenly as Shay had heard her, she was gone.
"That girl's name was Miaka? She was rather pretty…" He looked up into the air, his hands in his pockets.
"Whatever, Tama. Let's just keep going." Shay walked into town, only to find a procession on the streets. A bunch of people were crowded to the side, and a platform was being carried by four men. Tamahome caught up to her and stood behind her, looking over her shoulder. A part of Shayla was smiling, since he couldn't look over her head. Jeez, I love being tall. But this… whatever it is was in her way. And she was gonna move it.
"Alright. Just move yourselves men. I need to get through here and your… platform is in my way." She stood in the way of the procession, and Tama came up to her and tried pulling her away. This didn't work, because they both were surrounded by soldiers. Fan-freaking-tastic.
"The girl and the boy called Tamahome were taken to the prison of the Emperor."
Miaka looked at the illustration, which showed the girl pacing, and the boy leaning against the back wall.
"However, the girl was devising a plan to escape. She did not want to be deterred in her quest for her companion. Tamahome spoke to her…"
"Thanks a lot, Shayla. Now we're both trapped." Tamahome spat at Shay angrily.
"Whatever, ogre-boy. I'll get us out of here." She fished in her pocket, and found her phone. Oh look. No bars. What did I expect? Tossing it to Tamahome, she searched some more, finding a bobby pin in her jeans. "You were saying?" She held it up and walked over to the door, fitting her hand through the bars. Now, if I could only find the keyhole… Aha! Found it. She wiggled the bobby pin and the lock clicked open. Pulling open the bars, she flashed a triumphant grin at Tama… who was fascinated with her phone.
"What is this? It could get a lot of money. Can I have it?" He looked up at her, his face all cute and chibi-like, pleading with the girl.
"Yeah, sure, whatever. Can we just go now? Prison dirt does not look good on me."
"No take-backs, eh?" He held the phone close to him.
"Why would I want it back? It doesn't even work here." She walked out of the cell, and ducked around the corner. "Hurry up, Tama."
"I'm coming!" He followed the girl, and they made their way into the halls. A few hallways down, they began hearing footsteps. Shayla grabbed Tama and pushed him into a room.
"Shayla. Look at this." So she obliged and looked at the golden statue of a phoenix.
"Hey! That looks like the bird that was in the library…" She walked up to it and touched the cool gold, feeling the contours under her artist's hands.
"It's Suzaku. He's the guardian god of the south, of Konan. Legend says a girl from a different world will come when the country is in need and save us." He stared up at it, awestruck.
"Psh. Like it would be me. I'm just stuck here by some weird accident. What god would want me as a priestess? I'm rude, and loud, and not very refined." She left the statue, and opened the doors, peering out into the hall. She saw daylight down at the end and she ran for the golden light.
When she reached it, it turned out to be a courtyard. An enclosed courtyard. And there was a woman sitting on the railing. So Shayla, being herself, vaulted over the low wall and walked over to her. Gods, she's beautiful. Even prettier than myself and I'm usually the pretty one.
"Uhm… excuse me, ma'am. Do you know the way out of here?"Shay asked politely, not wanting to upset her.
"I do, but I would like to speak with you first. Who are you?" She smiled gently, maybe even more beautiful. Her hair hung around her face in gentle brown waves, and her golden eyes shimmered with mirth.
"I'm Shayla Patterson. I'm 17 and from Tokyo, Japan. Where I'm from it is the year 2000. I'm really not from this place. "
"Well, Shayla, it's very nice to meet you. I'm Hotohori. I live here in the palace." She smiled again as Tamahome ran up to Shay.
"What are you doing? She could turn us in…" This was a moot point because now there were guards everywhere. Again. Why is it that we can't go anywhere without people threatening us?
"We caught you now! You won't be able to escape so easily this time!" Three of the guards attacked Shayla, pinning her to the round.
"GET off!" She shouted, trying to squirm away. But then, Tamahome began attacking, his forehead glowing again. He knocked them out with some epically awesome fighting moves. And then the soldiers converged on them again.
"SILENCE!" Hotohori shouted. And the guards fell to their knees in a bow. "So sorry Emperor." Tama looked between the guards and Hotohori, and then fell to his knees too.
"Hotohori? You're the Emperor? No way." She put her hands on her hips.
"No one will hurt these two without my permission."
"The girl and the boy knelt in front of the emperor as he explained the plight of Konan to them. He implored the girl to save Konan. She agreed, hoping that it would just get her home. The girl took upon the role of the Suzaku no Miko. Hundreds of courtiers formed ranks and bowed low before her. "
Miaka looked up at the ceiling. "Oh, Shay. I hope you're okay."
Shayla stood in the room that Hotohori had lent to her to stay in, the contents of her bag strewn everywhere.
"Sketchbooks, pencils, The Vampire Lestat, chocolate … what else was in there? Oh, here's my copy of Dracula… and… where is it? I can't even find it." She groaned in frustration and kicked a pillow that had fallen on the floor. As it flew through the air the door opened and it nearly hit Hotohori in the face.
"Excuse me, Priestess. I'm sorry to interrupt…" He began but Shay sighed angrily.
"Hotohori, please. Call me Shayla. Priestess just makes me feel… icky." She made a face as she turned back to her bag and shook it upside down again. He moved so silently, Shay didn't even notice he was behind her when she turned around. She squeaked slightly as he placed his hands on either shoulder.
"What are these things on your face?" He was very close to her, so much so that she had to look up at him, more than usual.
"They're uh… called piercings. They're for decoration." His face was so close to hers that she blushed. None of the boys back home treat me like this. They're not so gentle, or caring. They're rude and crass, and… not my type. "I have nineteen of them."
"They're very interesting." He inched closer to her, his hands shifting up to cup her face in his hands.
"Most people back home don't think so. My mother dislikes them very much." Shay stated, watching his eyes melt into pools of liquid gold.
"Shayla! I'm hungry! Let's go get food!" Tama burst through the open door, with an idiotic grin on his face. He stopped short when he saw Hotohori.
"Thank you for sharing, Shayla. I look forward to our next conversation." Hotohori smiled and glided out of the room, offering a nod in Tama's direction.
Shayla stood there, looking rather like an idiot, until Tama sidled over to her. "Shayla? Come on. I'm hungry…" He whined in her face.
"Nani? Oh yeah I'm coming. Let's go!" She smiled and looped her arm through his as they walked to find the kitchens.
"I haven't had decent Chinese food in years. That was so good!" She laughed and nudged Tama with her elbow. "What did you think Tama?"
"Food is food Shayla. But it was good." Tamahome walked next to her, hands behind his head, in a comfortable silence. "Hey Shay. I'm going into town. Would you like to come?" Shay looked up at him and smiled.
"Sure, Tama. I would love to." So Shay and Tama headed outside the palace, in order to make their way into the city.
As they made their way through the palace, Hotohori interrupted their progress. "Priestess, may we speak in private?"
Shay looked at him in shock. "Of course, Hotohori-sama." She followed the Emperor, leaving Tamahome with the promise of a swift return.
As Hotohori led Shay into his own chambers, he walked with a regality and a coldness that had been absent in Shay's quarters earlier. Shay stood awkwardly in the doorway, as he took off his ridiculous little hat that always made Shay giggle. "Shayla, please join me. We need to converse about the rest of the Suzaku Seven." Shayla walked over and sat down, feeling slightly exposed in her sleeveless tunic. "Shayla, in order to summon Suzaku, you will need to find the rest of the Suzaku Seven You have Tamahome, and myself," At this, he flipped his collar down to reveal the character for Star on his throat, "Now it is imperative that we find the rest of the Suzaku Seishi. And once we summon the God, we will be able to rescue Konan." Shay blushed at their proximity.
"Of course, Hotohori. Anything I can do to help." Shay stood up with the purpose of leaving, but a large hand wrapped itself around her wrist and pulled her back. She practically landed in the Emperor's lap with is arms wrapped around her waist.
"I have always pictured a woman, ideal for an empress, ever since I was a child. Someone who could love me for me, and not just my looks or my position. That woman is you Shayla. From the moment I met you, I have loved you." He spoke quietly, his face buried into her shoulder.
"Hotohori…." Shayla didn't know what to say. Hotohori's confession had shocked her.
"I know you do not feel the same as I. Therefore I will have to win your love from those who may have it." He released her, letting her stand up and face him. His eyes had returned to their pool of molten gold, as passionate and beautiful as they were earlier. "Please allow me to know everything about you." His declarations had shocked her; she didn't have any retort for his feelings. She excused herself, none too politely, and fled outside. It was more of a speed of bats-outta-hell, since Shay had no intention of discussing marriage with Hotohori. In her blind dash across a grassy space, she knocked over a support beam for a partially finished gazebo. The structure fell on Shay, raining debris all over the yard.
"TAMA!" Shay shrieked as she dived under a propped up piece of granite. When the dust settled, Shay was trapped beneath an extra piece of granite flooring and debris all around her. She could hear Tamahome and Hotohori outside, calling her name.
"The Suzaku no Miko called to her companions to let them know she was alright. But unbeknownst to them and the Priestess herself, she had sustained injuries." Miaka read the passage and saw the blood spreading across her skirt and sock, and felt a similar sensation across her shoulders. "What's happening to me...? What's happening to Shay is happening to me as well. Please Tamahome, help her."
Miaka pleaded with the characters, knowing that she had begun to have feelings for the one called Tamahome. She hoped that they would both be safe.