Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters from Fushigi Yuugi, or any other recognizable ones.
Tenshi's Notes: Minna, I have been a busy girl, on a massive writing binge thanks to my muse, Usa-chan! I've had this idea for a while now and as a teaser, I'm giving you the prologue to tide you over. No worries, Goddess fans (all 3 of you out there). That fic WILL finish, I can guarantee you that, and I won't make you wait too long for it either (unless of course reviews go down). After this point, this fic takes off on a strange twist. So you won't get confused, I will be playing with timelines a LOT (more so than usual) and the style of writing will reflect that. Those that have watched Pulp Fiction will recognize what I've done. Secondly, who is this little girl? For those who think you know it, I assure you you probably have it wrong. Anyway, just enjoy what I've done. Special thanks to all my poor guinea pigs (Jade-chan and B-chan especially) for testing out this fic for me, and I want to announce my adoption of my two imouto-chans: Ivory-chan, and Usa-chan! *glomps*
Chibi-self (aka Silver-chan), one down, and MANY more to go!
Last note I swear it, I'm not sure when the next chapters of this fic are coming through. I have sooooo many fics on the go now it's not even funny. *wails* Anyway, if I get enough reviews, I'll try to put up more chapters.
Thanks to all my readers and fans for being there! Ja!
*******************************************************************
Prologue: A Moment in Time
He felt as if he was drowning upon a sea of pain. He had never had any choices, any options. It had always been about duty. Why was his life never his own? His father had passed on not too long ago, and he barely even had time to grieve for the man when his mother had made the decision. His life had always been about structure, discipline, and he never had the freedom to do anything he wanted, despite being one of the most powerful men in this empire. For all his wealth, he envied the children that ran so free in the villages, enjoying the simple things in life. Freedom. He had been a lowly pawn, with his life dictated for him. He'd never had any say in any matter. And now here he was. Sitting in his room. About to be crowned emperor of Konan. So why was it that he found himself locked in his chambers, dressed in his royal garbs, feeling so unbearably hurt?
A flash of light appeared and a small child stepped into his room, looking around curiously. A young girl, from the looks of things, wearing the strangest clothing he had ever seen in his life.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?" He demanded imperiously.
"You looked sad, and I don't like it when people are sad."
Stunned, he looked at her in shock as she came up to him. An aura seemed to surround her, and she looked to be sunshine and light all enveloped in one.
"Why are you sad?" She asked curiously, sitting herself down cross legged near the chair that he had been lounging at.
"I… who says I'm sad?"
"I saw you. You didn't look happy at all." Her eyes, so youthful yet shone with a maturity that belied her years.
"How did you get here without the guards noticing?"
She giggled, a bright happy sound as she stared at him wide-eyed. Looking around, she whispered to him, as if sharing a big secret. "Setsuna-san was talking to my 'kaasan, and I took her time key."
"Nani!?" He yelled out incredulously. Of all the things he had been anticipating, he hadn't been expecting to hear about a time key? What was this time key?
"And then I was walking in this place, and it was really scary at first. But then I saw all these mirrors and I looked through all of them. Some people were dressed funny, and did strange things." Her brow scrunched up in confusion.
He could only well imagine what she had seen. If what she was saying was indeed the truth, then she possibly would've caught glimpses of very interesting moments in time.
"I stopped in front of this mirror and you were there. You were so sad, like you were thinking about something. I didn't like seeing you sad so I went through the mirror."
She looked up at him. "What's your name?"
"Hotohori."
Smiling adorably, she beamed at him. "Hotohori-san, why are you sad?"
"I found out that I'm going to be emperor."
A look of confusion passed her face. "What's an emperor?"
He laughed, as she gave him a scowl. Re-arranging his features, he spoke quickly. "It's a man who rules over a lot of people."
"Like a king! Wakatta!" She seemed so proud of herself, and he found himself liking the child more and more each moment. She was a cute little thing, full of life and curiousity. "Why would you be sad if you were king?"
"I didn't have a choice," he replied softly.
She quirked her head, staring at him curiously, not really understanding what he meant. "All you have to do is be your best, and love everyone as much as you can. Then you can become a good king."
The simple words struck a truth, an echo within his heart. A seven year-old had just cleared up his deepest worries. What if he had been a bad king? Was he capable of ruling Konan like his father had? Bringing the empire to shine above the others? Would Suzaku bless him, and allow him to be a wise ruler? And she had answered it with the wisdom of a child. Be the best he could be, and love everyone. Had everything been that simple at that age?
He gave her a smile, and the girl stared at him, awestruck and she felt a warmth spread through her cheeks. What a pretty man. Not as pretty as 'tousan was but though he didn't know it, the little girl made up her mind that she was going to marry him when she grew up. Spring to her feet, she chirped out, "You're happy again."
"Hai, arigatoo… what's your name?"
"My name is…"
Her voice trailed off, staring behind him. Her eyes became wide like saucers as she covered her mouth. She looked like a child who had been caught doing something bad, which apparently she had. Without looking behind him, he had already sensed a strange, and powerful presence. Whirling around, he stood protectively in front of the young girl, glaring at the woman who now stood before him. Tall and willowly, she was pretty though her colouring frightened him slightly. Blood red eyes. She had blood red eyes.
"Chibi hime…" she chided softly at the young girl who clutched at his robes behind him.
"Who are you? And what are you doing in my chambers?" Chibi hime? Princess? How was that possible?
"You should've known better than that," she continued, ignoring his question.
"Setsuna-san," she called out plaintively. "I was bored, and you were talking to 'kaasan. And I have heard you talk about the time key all the time cos' that's how 'kaasan met 'tousan. So I tried to find it but I couldn't and I found Hotohori-san instead"
The woman laughed, transforming her face into one of beauty. "Come out, chibi hime. You know your mother will be worried about you."
"But I don't wanna leave yet. Hotohori-san is so nice to me. And look! He's not sad anymore."
How sweet this child was. How honest, and how sweet. Here was another person who didn't care about his position or his wealth. She simply liked him for who he was. Even though he had only lived for fourteen years, for the life of him, he could not ever remember a person who hadn't wanted to be close to him because of his wealth, or his position. Turning around, he crouched down so he was eye-level to her, and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Your okaasan will miss her little musume if you don't go back soon." Her eyes began tearing, and he felt his heart melting at the sight.
"I don't wanna leave," she wailed throwing her arms around his neck. He froze suddenly, at the warm little body that had flung herself against his. He was confused. Such displays of affection were unheard of, and never experienced. Nobody had dared lay a hand on him. Strange feelings flooded his system, and he felt a surge of protectiveness for this little girl who had done so much in the mere minutes that she had been here.
"Oo-sama," the woman called from behind him, going around him to try to pry the little girl who was now crying huge heart wrenching sobs.
"Iie!!!!!!!!!" She screamed, tightening her arms around his neck.
"We'll see each other again. Some day. Somehow."
She stopped, and sniffled slightly. "You promise?"
"Hai. I don't know how it's going to happen, but we will."
She brightened up a little, recovering with amazing speed. "All right Hotohori-san. You be happy okay? And be a good em… em…"
"Emperor?" He offered, his eyes crinkling at the little girl.
"Hai! Sayoonara!"
"Arigatoo, oo-sama." The woman bowed slightly before disappearing into the light.
*******************************************************************
And as he watched them leave, his own eyes began watering, and a chuckle escaped him. If she could cause that much trouble in such little time, he imagined the havoc she must've caused in her parents' lives. But she would bring them much joy, just as she had for him, if only for a few moments.