Fushigi Yuugi: The Mysterious Play
A New Chapter

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Chapter 2
'Getting To Know You…'
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Just after sunset,Hotohori and the young woman reach the palace he resides in,thankfully,
She's asleep now,and he'll have time to think over on how to tell her who he is the next day.
He smiles and carefully shifts her body into his arms,and slowly slides off the back
Of his horse.

Ashley moves slightly in his embrace,making him freeze,as not to wake her.
She stops after a moment,continuing to sleep peacefully.
"Highness!"

One of his attendants runs up to him,and kneels,"We were so worried about you,are you alright?"
"Yes,but please,take care of this girl,she's had a rough day,I'll explain later,"Hotohori
Says as he takes the sleeping girl into an empty bedroom,laying her carefully onto the bed.
"As you wish,My Lord,"She bows,and begins to look over the girl.

With that taken care of,Hotohori turns,his hair swirls around him as he walks into his chambers,
To turn in for the night,thoughts of the mysterious young woman in the back of his mind,even
As he sleeps.



~~**~~



During the night,Ashley begins having strange nightmares,her brow creases in fear,
Her body thrashes as she sleeps.
"No....stop it,please!"

Sweat begins to form on her delicate face,as her hands grip the bedsheets,her knuckles
Turning a bright-white,"Stop it!!!"

A few rooms down,Hotohori is awakened at hearing her distress,"Ashley?"
He gets up,and wraps a robe around his body,and runs down the hallway,
That does'nt seem to end for him.

He finally reaches her chambers and sits beside her thrashing body,taking hold of her
Slender shoulders,and shakes them gently."Wake up,Ashley!It's only a dream!"
Ashley's eyes open widely,and begins breathing hard as she sits up,with
His hands still holding her shoulders.
"Hotohori?What's going on?"

"You were having some kind of nightmare,I could hear you screaming,so I came to
See if you were alright,"He says in his deep,yet gentle voice.
She blushes softly,and turns her face to the side,trying to hide it.
Hotohori's eyes soften as he pulls her into his arms,holding her in a warm,protective embrace.
"What...?"

"If you need to,just cry,you may cry on my shoulder anytime."He whispers to her,as she
Places her arms around him,and cries softly,her tears soaking through the silk-robe he wears.
Hotohori gently rubs her back,wanting to protect her with all he has,
Even with such a title he has,being the Emperor of Konan.

Ashley cries until her sobs soften to sniffles,and falls asleep in his arms,her face still
Stained with tears.
Hotohori lays her onto her bed,his hand combs through her hair,and wiping the
Tears from her sleeping face,"So beautiful,"He smiles and stands,not wanting to leave,
But exits and returns to his chambers.



~~**~~



The next morning,Ashley awakens to the sound of softly chirping birds,and warm sunlight
On her face.She sits up and stretches,looking out the window,at the unfamiliar world.
"Oh right . . .I'm in a place called Konan . . ."
She then looks into a mirror on the wall,and fixes her hair,before exiting the room,to explore
The Palace.

"Oh,Miss Ashley?"
She turns and sees a young man,bowing before her,"Please come with me."
"Ok,I guess. . ."Ashley follows the young man,wondering what the heck is going on.

He leads her into a large hall,framed with exotic curtains and flowers,a golden throne
Rests at the opposite end,also framed by curtains and flowers.
"Ashley . . .did you rest well?"A familiar voice calls from the throne.
"Hotohori?Oh,yes,I did . . .but?"

"Yes,I have many things to explain to you,one is,that I am the Emperor of this country of Konan."
Hotohori looks at her through the bangs that fall over his deep-hazel eyes.