Fushigi Yuugi : The Mysterious Play
A New Chapter

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Chapter 1
'Arrival'
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A young girl about age 17 is dropped off at the library by her mother,even though the girl knows
what to do if something happens,she still holds her back a few moments.
"You know what to do right? Just scream as loud as you can,becareful Ashley."The girls mother,
Ikana says."I will mom,don't worry. I call you when I'm ready."Ashley tells her mother.
"Ok,becareful and I love you."
"I love you too mom."Ashley says as her mom pulls away,leaving her infront of the library.
Ashley walks into the library,that is usually full of people,but today,it only has
a few.

"That's strange,it's usually full of people ... "She says to herself as she looks about the library,
a strange feeling tugs her to the ancient history section.
A soft red light begins to glow as she nears it,as if it's drawing her there.
On one of the shevles,a book glows a soft red,she walks up to it,and the glow fades as she
picks it up.
"Why am I in this section?Oh well,what's this book called?"She says and looks at the writing,it's
all in Chinese.
"I can't read Chinese ... but,I feel like I can understand it ... 'Universe of the Four Gods,Sky
and Earth' ... "Ashley says,opening the book with gentle hands.

The first few pages tell the story of how two ordinary girls were to become Miko's of
two of the Gods,Suzaku and Seiryuu,and how true love conquered all in the end.
"Wow,just like a Fairy Tale .... AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!"She screams as the same light engulfs her form,
and the book falls to the floor,where she once stood ...

~*~

Warm sunlight shines on her face as she opens her eyes.
"What happened?"Ashley asks to no one,in the abandoned field.
She stands and looks around the barren land,"Where am I?"She asks with a scared voice.
On unsteady legs,she begins to walk,in attempt to find where she is.

~*~

In the Konan Empire,an emperor no older that 18,stands from his throne,and walks
to his chambers to dress casually for awhile.
"Being in this all day can get annoying,but I live with it."He says to himself as he removes
his hat,letting his waist-length hair flow free.

~*~

Meanwhile,Ashley continues to walk in the barren land,her legs ready to give out on her.
"I need to find out where I am and soon..."She says,wiping some sweat away from her forehead.
Out of nowhere,about 6 bandits attack her,one of them forcefully pins her arms behind her.
"Let me go!!!"She screams as another lifts her chin to face him.

"Hey,she's a cute one!We should get something out of her before we sell her,right?"
He asks his fellow members.
"Oh,yeah!"

"Let me go ... please ... I'm lost here and I want to get back home..."She cries,tears flow down
her face.
"Aww ... you want to get home,eh?Well ... before that,you're gonna have some fun!"
The leader says,ripping her shirt open.
She screams loudly,hoping someone will hear her.

As the bandit leader moves closer,a blade is plunged through his chest,the tip of it about 2 inches
from her.The blade pulls out and the bandit falls to the ground,dead.
"What the hell?!"

A young man stands before them,his hair tied back in a ponytail,a sword in his hand ... and a
softly glowing symbol on his neck.
"Just who the hell are you?!"The bandit holding Ashley demands,putting her in a choke hold.
"That's none of your buisness,since you'll be dead in a minute."

"Like I'm supposed to be scared,pretty boy?"He asks,his grip getting tighter on the girl.
"You'll regret this..."The young man says,and lunges foreward,slicing the other mans neck.
He falls to the ground,his hold still on the girl.
The fellow bandit members flee,at seeing this.

Ashley shivers,her eyes squeezed shut tightly in fear.Her savior releases her from the dead man's
grip,and she flings her arms around him.
"Are you alright,miss?"He asks her,his arms go around her on instinct.
She crys,her tears seep through his shirt,"I'm scared ... and lost ..."
He gently lifts her face up,
"Don't worry,I'm here to help,my name is Hotohori,what's yours?"

"Ashley,Ashley Ishida.I don't know how I got here,but I'm ..."She is cut off by his gentle
touch over her mouth.
"It's alright,come with me,I'll make sure you are alright for the night."
She nods as he helps her stand,and calls his horse.
He looks at her,and smiles,helping her onto the horse,the climbing on behind her,his arms go
around her waist like a secure band.

"Alright,just relax,you can lay against my shoulder if you like."Hotohori says with a smile,his
warm breath brushes against her ear,causing an inward shiver from her.
She nods,and lays her head against his shoulder,and the horse gallops off.
"Don't worry,I helped raise this horse,he won't let us fall off."Hotohori says,patting the horses side
as it gallops.
Ashley can only nod,as her eyes close,falling asleep listening to his strong heartbeat and
the horse galloping.

Hotohori smiles down at the girl,his hand moves to her long hair,on it's own will.
'So young ... she has to be no older than 17.'He thinks as the sun begins to reach the horizon of
the Western Skies