Sister to Miko
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Chapter Six: Suzaku Shichi Seishi Nuriko
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*Hotohori*
"Court commences in ten minutes, Heika-sama," my advisor informed me. He was going to attend court for a few times in case Kiku didn't know what to do, but after that I would let him retire – he had served my father and I well for a few decades.
I looked over at Kiku. She was fidgeting.
"Are the robes uncomfortable? It's only temporary."
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*Kiku*
He thought I was uncomfortable because of the court robes?
Well, I couldn't tell him about my father, but I didn't want to lie either, so I just said, "I… guess I'm just nervous."
"Oh," he said, his expression relaxing.
Just then, Hiromi came waltzing in. "Heika-sama, you shouldn't frown! It might… *gasp* leave wrinkles!"
"Nani?!" the emperor darted faster than lightning (which I was amazed at because of the heavy, restricting robes he was wearing) over to the enlarging mirror on one of his many mirror-laden desks. "No wrinkle. Yokatta."
"Heika-sama could never get wrinkles," Hiromi cooed, sidling up to him. "Have some grapes."
"May I be excused for a while, Heika-sama?" I asked. He nodded, barely hearing me as Hiromi fussed over him.
I stepped outside in the fresh (as fresh as possible when we were isolated from the surrounding environment) air and tried to think how I could disguise myself so Father wouldn't notice me – I didn't want to go back because here, people finally appreciated my wits. Then it came to me.
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*Hotohori*
The guards lining each side of the court began tapping the end of their wooden poles on the floor in a rhythm. "Court rise!" (This is a direct translation from Mandarin, the author's mother tongue)
"Long live the Emperor!" the village leaders droned from their kneeling position.
"Please rise," I told them, then to my advisor, "Where's Kiku?"
He bowed apologetically.
Just then, a figure in dark purple rushed hurriedly over. I coughed delicately. "Kiku?"
"Y-yes, Heika-sama?" she asked nervously. Adjusting the very obviously *male* robes she had changed into.
"Anou… your clothes…"
"Um, I thought it would be better if I came here disguised, Heika-sama. You know, how women should not be literate and everything."
"Ahem." My advisor cleared his throat, indicating that we should get down to business.
We did.
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*Kiku*
"Heika-sama…" I couldn't resist breaking the silence of just our tired feet padding down the corridor.
He looked at me wearily, and a little strangely. Oh yeah, it was this disguise. I decided to wear it all the time so everyone'd get used to it, and there'd be less chance of Father finding me by accident. He hadn't been at the village leader meeting today, but sooner or later I'd have to meet him, and he would have to see me.
"How do you manage to face that every day? I mean, it's all such unimportant matters! And you're still so patient with them…"
"It's my duty."
Just then, Miaka came racing up to us. "Hotohori! Ki-chan (cute costume)! Would you like to join Tamahome and me to see this new shop that opened? It has lovely gifts and toys!" I didn't miss the longing look in the beautiful emperor's eyes, but then the flash of guilt.
"Heika-sama, why don't you go?" I asked softly.
"I… duty calls. There is another court session tomorrow, and it can't do for me to tire."
Miaka pouted. "Ne, Hotohori. Can't you have fun for a change? How about you, Ki-chan?" She turned to me with wobbling, pleading eyes.
I hated socialising and going out and having superficial fun. It was all so meaningless! "Okay," I practically choked out. It was only for the Miko's sake – she must be bored cooped up in the palace all day long. *No*, I told myself, it's *not* because you have a crush on Tamahome.
"Subarashii!" Miaka bounced up and down. "Hotohori, we promise we'll bring her back early for the court session!"
"Alright then. It concerns more important matters this time, Kiku, so hopefully you won't be so bored."
I would have reflected on his thoughtfulness, but the teal-haired object of my, and unfortunately, also Miaka's, affections strode up to us. "You will not be joining us, Heika?" Tamahome asked in his pleasant voice. I could get lost in it, if not for the fact that it was the genki Miko he was fondly gazing at. Not me.
"Well, let me change out of these dark robes and I'll join you in a few minutes," I said quietly, wondering why Miaka wanted the Heika and I to come along and play gooseberry. Could it be that she liked the green-haired seishi?
"Kawaii!" Miaka exclaimed for what must have been the thirtieth time that night, dumping another armful of toys into Tamahome's arms.
"Mou! Must you buy so many of the same figurines?" the young man screwed up his nose in distaste. I was glad to be wearing my scarf, so neither of the happy couple could see me watching them longingly. What was I longing for? Tamahome? Or just a love as sweet as theirs?
"Ne, bishounen," a feminine voice drawled huskily into my ear. "What are you doing in a child's shop?"
I turned to see a beautiful purple-haired girl grinning at me. I was about to royally freak out until I remembered I was still in men's clothing. Practice, I had told Miaka and *Tamahome* earlier. They were grateful to me for helping them get the Suzaku no Miko discovered, and believed my lie about not wanting to get into trouble for being a literate female.
"Hidoi yo," the purple-haired girl pouted.
I groaned. When I was dressed as a girl, no boy showed interest in me. But suddenly, after only a few hours of wearing men's clothes, I got picked up by a girl. It was a sick world. And a sick fate.
Just then, there was a loud crash.
"The pillar!" someone yelled.
"Miaka!" came a *very* familiar voice.
"Miaka?" I called, running towards the cloud of smoke and dust from the fallen pillar.
"Tamahome! Kiku! Tasukete!"
"Kimi no baka yarou!" Tamahome was shaking his fist at the shop owner.
"Gomen nasai! Hontou ni gomen nasai!" the middle-aged man was kow-towing to him, apologising profusely. "We did not know… that it would topple so soon!"
"You disgust me!" the angry young man spat, then attempted to lift the pillar that was crushing Miaka's legs, his seishi symbol flaring furiously. I recovered quickly from my shock at his rudeness, and moved to help too.
"Shitsurei," came a familiar voice. I turned to see the purple-haired young woman making her way through the crowd. "Yare yare, this is too easy!" With a flick of her wrist, the whole pillar was reduced to dust! She must have had immense internal energy!
Miaka was staring dazedly at the young woman. "Ryuu… the sign of the willow. Suzaku shichi seishi Nuriko!"