Fallen Embers
Disclaimer and Authors Notes: Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. I don't think I've ever had that good of a turnout for a prologue. I just hope I can keep your interest now ;) I'm tryin'! Also, sorry it took so long to get this out. I've had a lot to do with school lately.
~!*!~
Usagi vaguely heard the voices around her; a jumble of women as well as men.
"Where did she come from?"
"No one knows! She just appeared last night while Nanku-tachi was on guard. He said that there was a near-blinding flash of red light, and the woman was laying there. In a noble's garb no less."
"Could she possibly be another Miko?"
"No, of course not. Yuuki-sama is the Miko."
"Then... who is-"
The court was silenced as the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho began to glow a reddish shade. Small beams of scarlet light shot from all sides of the scroll. They twisted and coiled before finally wrapping around Usagi. As more and more shot from the scroll, everyone's eyes were drawn to the woman. She was lifted from the ground and set on her feet before Hotohori, her eyes still shut.
Very suddenly, the crimson light stopped... and a ray of golden light, small enough so that it resembled a piece of golden string that had been delicately attached to Usagi, began to weave in and out of the scarlet garb she now wore. For nearly ten seconds the string wove around her, the pace growing more rapid as the time passed. Another sudden flash, this one gold... and the clothing looked like imperial garb. A ruby kimono with a golden obi. The kimono had been embroidered with a large picture of a phoenix in almost the same shade as the obi, though on each side of it was a constellation in a pure silvery thread. One for each of the Suzaku Seishi. The obi had been embroidered with the scarlet and ginger thread... and now held a picture of a roaring fire.
The amazing light show was over. The scroll returned to normal.
Usagi opened her eyes and held out her hand, letting the scroll drop loosely into it. The guards immediately grabbed their weapons and looked to Hotohori for guidance. This had never happened before.
After several seconds of a tense silence, the emperor's strained voice broke the silence. "Put down your swords. Suzaku has chosen her."
"But for what majesty?"
Hotohori inhaled deeply, then exhaled in the same manner. "That I do not know. May I?" he asked holding his hand out for the scroll. Usagi numbly handed it over to him, some of her true character returning to her. "Eiko, please take this to the royal advisers. Find out what has happened to the scroll. I will deal with the young woman." Eiko bowed and turned on his heel, walking out the door. "Guards, return to your posts. The rest of you are dismissed." The room cleared in record time, leaving Hotohori with the young woman.
"Kobanwa megumi-sama. Watashi Wa Sahitei. Konankoku no Heika."
Usagi blinked several times. "Gomen, but I'm no goddess. Atashi wa Tsukino Usagi."
"You must be a goddess, for your beauty is the first to exceed my own." A blush turned to an almost... puzzled look on Usagi's face... Not sure whether to take it as a compliment or not, she contented herself to just smile back. "Are you hungry Usagi-sama?"
Hotohori noted the spark that appeared in Usagi's eyes at the mention of food. "Sahitei-sama, please call me Usagi-chan or just Usagi."
Hotohori smiled. "In that case, you must call me Sahitei or Hotohori if you wish."
Another puzzled look. "Hotohori?"
"Surely you must have heard the story of the Celestial Seishi." The puzzled look became even more puzzled. (had that been possible). "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho?" Shake of the head to the negative. "Suzaku?"
"Say that last one again." 'Now we're getting somewhere.' Hotohori thought to himself.
"Suzaku."
A long pause. "Nope."
A massive sweatdrop appeared on Hotohori's head.
"Walk with me, Usagi-chan and I will explain everything."
"Hai Sahitei-kun!" Usagi squealed before latching onto his arm. The true Usagi had returned.
~!*!~
Minutes later, they arrived in the dining room.
"Alright... let me get this straight... I am in Konankoku... guarded by Suzaku the... big... red... flying bird thingie-"
"Phoenix."
"Bless you."
"No... Usagi-chan. Suzaku-sama is a phoenix. The emblem of immortality. It is said that the phoenix is consumed by it's own fire, and then rises later, renewed from the ashes."
"Oh."
"And you... are from the same country as Miaka. Tu-ki-no... is it?"
"Actually, Sahitei-kun... that's Tokyo. And it's a city in the country of Japan."
"To-ki-yo, ne?"
"Hai! Hai!"
"Odd names. So, Tokyo is in Japan and you are merely a commoner there?"
"...Hai."
As they were just about to sit down, Eiko rushed into the room, near frantic. "Heika-sama, the advisors have found something. They say it is imperative that you meet with them at once."
"They found something that crucial?"
"Hai, sire."
"Very well. Usagi-chan, you should stay here. The royal cooks will make anything you desire. I will return as soon as I can."
Hotohori moved out of the room, Eiko in tow.
Usagi sat down, and only had a second to do so before, "Can I get you anything?" A young servant-woman popped seemingly from nowhere and was now looking expectantly at Usagi.
"Do you have any ice cream?"
"Ice... cream...?"
"How about some pie?"
"Pie?"
"Cake?"
"That we have. I'll bring some out, right away." The servant bowed to Usagi before bustling away, feeling lucky she got away before-
A loud loud thud could be heard from the dining room. Lady Kourin always had been able to... surprise new people around the palace.
~!*!~
As Hotohori arrived in the study, the scholars jumped up from where they were sitting. The one in front, the eldest, approached him.
"Heika-sama. We have found something that will change everything."
"What do you mean?"
"At the end of the scroll. A new paragraph was written."
"Let me see." This wasn't a question. It was a direct order from the emperor of Konan. The scholar pointed to the end of the scroll.
"Here, sire."
Hotohori skimmed through the paragraph, finding almost nothing of importance until the last line.
...but if a new miko should be brought into the world, the old miko should be put to death... or the country is surely doomed.
