By: fuzzypoo
A/N: I'd love to get some reviews so anyone who reads the first couple chapters, please let me know what you think! Many thanks to my dear Nikki for her assistance
Rated: M (probably more like MA throughout to be fair, but be prepared!)
Warnings: Language I guess… it starts pretty mild.
Disclaimer: Blah blah work of fiction blah blah don't own the characters blah blah.
Part 2: Where are we?
When Miaka opened her eyes again she was standing in the middle of Eiyou. Hikari's hand was still firmly grasped in her own, but she had to hold on tight. The little girl was trying to run around. "Hikari, calm down!"
"Look! It's the town! There's the palace! That man has a funny hat! Something smells good, let's eat it!" She ran around her mother in circles, trying to take everything in. "We're here! We're really here! I get to see my Papa!" She squealed with joy.
Miaka couldn't hold back her laughter, watching her daughter run around in delirious confusion. Until she said 'papa'. "Oh no, Shin!?" She looked around but there was no sign of him. Maybe he didn't come through... He's reading about us on the other side? Unless he was dropped somewhere else. No, Hikari is here with me. He would be too, I'm sure.
Hikari stuck out her tongue. "We don't need Shin anymore, we're in the place where Papa is! He'll take care of us." She did a happy dance, giggling. With her fanged grin she could almost be mistaken for a miniature of her father, the man she would finally meet.
"Hikari," Miaka knelt beside her. "We'll go find your father but it's been a long time. I don't know if he'll even be back at the Mountain. Let's go to the palace first, okay?" Hikari didn't seem very impressed by the idea but reluctantly agreed. "Hold on to my hand, I don't need to tell you it can be dangerous here." She held tightly onto Hikari's hand, ignoring the strange looks from those around them as they made their way to the palace.
If my wish really was granted, time should have passed here the same as in my own world. That means Boushin will be about the same age as Hikari. If he's not... worse still, if his own child is on the throne then Tasuki may be... She put the thought out of her mind, not wanting to believe she could return here just to learn of the death of those she loved.
They made their way up the stairs to the palace grounds, stopping at the gate. The soldiers guarding it looked them over and without a word stepped aside, allowing them entry.
"Why did they just let us in?" Miaka wondered, looking back at them. Hikari dragged her forward.
"They probably recognized you, Mama! Aren't you famous around here?" She marched her mother through the grounds like she knew them herself. She'd read the story of her mother's journey countless times. She'd wanted to learn to read just so she could do so. She excelled at school, much more so than her mother or even Auntie Yui. Miaka often wondered where she got it from.
"Hikari, slow down! We can't just charge in demanding to speak to Emperor Boushin! It doesn't matter how famous I am." But the little girl wasn't listening as they marched straight into the throne room. Miaka breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her old friend right where he belonged. There was a young but beautiful little boy seated on his left, a familiar purple haired woman to his right.
"Miaka-sama?" Hotohori stood up in disbelief. "Is that really you?"
"Hotohori-sama!" Miaka bowed, pushing Hikari's head down as well. "Be quiet for a bit please, Hikari." she whispered. If they were going to ask for help, they needed to be on their best behavior.
"Miaka-sama, you've returned!" Houki's kind smile made her look like Nuriko.
Hikari glanced up to look at the people she'd only read about. Houki really was beautiful. If she looked anything like her mother's friend Nuriko she understood why he was mistaken for a girl so easily. The Emperor was the most beautiful man she'd ever seen. She knew that her mother must have had a difficult time rejecting his proposal. Then her gaze drifted to Boushin and she found herself blushing.
"Boushin-sama!" Miaka bowed again.
"There's no need, Miaka. Come here..." Hotohori stood up, gesturing for her to walk forward. She gently pushed Hikari forward as well as they approached the throne. Before she could bow, Hotohori came forward and embraced her in his arms. "Miaka..." he whispered. She hugged him back, happy tears welling up in her eyes.
"Oh Hotohori! I never thought I'd see you again." She pulled back from the hug, smiling. "Your son, he looks just like you!"
"He'll grow up to be a very beautiful man. Perhaps the only to surpass my own beauty..."
She laughed. Hotohori... he hasn't changed at all in the time I've been gone. She looked down to Hikari but her daughter's eyes were fixed on the young man by the throne. "Hikari!" She playfully bopped her on the head. "Pay attention to the Emperor! Introduce yourself properly"
Hikari pouted, looking up at him and tearing her gaze away from his son. "Hiya! It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Kou Hikari!" She grinned, showing off her fangs. Hotohori's eyes grew wide, surprised and excited at the same time.
Miaka bonked her on the head again. "Little dummy, you know your family name is Yuki. You do this every time..."
Hikari growled, a little annoyed. "It might as well be Kou!"
Miaka sighed, throwing her hands up in defeat. "Fine! Call yourself whatever you want, I give up." She scratched her head, a little embarrassed. "Hotohori this is my..."
"Your daughter." he cut her off. He got down to the level of the child, studying her face intently. "It's amazing how much you look like your parents." He patted her head, kindly. "Does he know?"
Miaka shook her head, sadly. "No. Even though he gave me his earring, I couldn't contact him from my world. Every day I wondered where he was or what he was doing but there was nothing. When we were pulled in I was overjoyed at the thought of seeing him again. We showed up in Eiyou so I thought I should pay you a visit first to let you know that for some reason, Suzaku brought me back."
"But how did this happen? You had to be a..." he blushed at the thought of discussing Miaka's virginity. Long ago he'd hoped to be the man to wed her and make her a woman. Those hopes and dreams were abandoned when he discovered her love for Tasuki.
"Suzaku granted me a favor, not a wish." She recalled the face of the God she'd promised to serve. It was warm and gentle, loving. "He was so kind and understanding. I made my last wish before..." she looked down at Hikari who was listening with all too great an interest. The details of their romance were left out of the book. She covered her daughter's ears and mouthed 'we slept together' to the Emperor, who nodded all too understanding. Hikari shoved her mother's hands away.
"I see. Well, it's fortunate you're both here. I'm expecting a visit from him any time now." The faces of both girls lit up at the mention of the absent bandit. "He's been doing some work for me with Chichiri. They should be here soon to report on the latest mission's success. For now, perhaps my son can escort young Hikari around the estate? I assure you she'll be safe with him."
"I'd be more concerned for him..." Miaka mumbled but nodded her agreement. Boushin rose to his feet and moved in front of Hikari, bowing and kissing her hand. He was as polite and as well mannered as his parents were. Just as Hikari was a reflection of her mother... Miaka watched as her daughter blushed. "I... I hate boys, you know." She snatched her hand away and marched off towards the exit. "Well? Come on. I'll make an exception." Boushin seemed entranced, following Hikari out without speaking a word.
Houki stood and hugged Miaka gently. "It is wonderful to see you, Suzaku no Miko. I must excuse myself though. I'll keep an eye on the little ones." She kissed her husband on the cheek and left the room as well. They were alone now. The air was tense with all the things left unsaid for years.
"Hotohori... I feel like things between us went wrong. I want to apologize. I was a confused little girl and when you proposed to me..."
He smiled, brushing his hair over his shoulder. "Miaka, there's no need to apologize. My proposal brought you and Tasuki closer together. I'm honored to play any part of your finding true love."
He was just as thoughtful as ever, put her feelings before his own. She smiled at him, happy to be reunited with her old friend. Soon she would see the man she called husband. If Shin was reading her story right now, she knew he'd become very upset as soon as Tasuki arrived.
Hikari wandered through the gardens, examining every part of the world carefully. It was just as she'd imagined it all those times her mother read the story to her. Boushin remained quiet, watching the boisterous girl with curiosity. She was nothing like the girls he knew. She was more free and (if it was possible) as kind as the Miko herself.
When she reached the pond she stopped dead in her tracks. She whirled around to face her much more quiet counter part. "Boushin, can you swim?"
He nodded. "Y...Yes, I can. Why do you ask?"
Her face turned devilish and she grabbed his hand. Chuckling wickedly, she leapt into the pond, dragging him in with her. They surfaced, laughing loudly. "Take that!" she splashed him with water. Letting his hair down he splashed her back.
"No one gets an Emperor's son wet!" he laughed, swimming after her as she wiggled away. From a safe distance away Houki watched her son and new playmate. Miaka may not have been the one to care for the Emperor's heart, but perhaps her daughter would save their son from his loneliness.
