Chapter Three: The Suzaku Seven
Sakura dragged herself as far south as she could. Slowly, she felt herself get warmer and noticed that the temperature was getting warmer too. She looked down and noticed that there wasn't any snow. Sakura smiled and realized she wasn't in Hokkan anymore. Sakura turned around and stared back at the snow covered country. (I guess this is good bye, Tomite.) Sakura turned back around and started running toward the new country. Suddenly, a man with blue hair stopped her. He carried a staff with him and looked like a wanderer. "Did you just come from the icy lands of Hokkan?" the wanderer asked.
"Yeah," Sakura said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Chichiri, I'm a Warrior of Suzaku," the wanderer said. "Why don't you come with me to the capital of Konan, Hong-Nan. I'll introduce you to the Emperor."
"Sounds like fun," Sakura said as they began to walk toward the big city of Hong-Nan.
Tomite and Inami finally reached the border of Hokkan and Konan. "This is the border," Inami said. "She wouldn't go any further. She wouldn't last, would she?"
Tomite turned to Inami. "Go back to Hokkan and tell Hikitsu that I think that Sakura has gone into Konan. I will go alone," Tomite said. "Tell him to continue with the preparations for the ceremony."
"Are you sure? What if the Suzaku Seven attack you?" Inami asked.
"I'll be fine. I have to take care of her," Tomite said. "This is all my fault, Inami. Before she disappeared…I told her that I loved her."
Inami gasped. "Tomite…" Inami began but Tomite continued to talk.
"I told her that I fell in love with her from the moment I met her," Tomite explained. "She said she didn't know if she felt the same way. I felt like my heart was torn to pieces, but I still love her. I've got to find her…on my own."
"Oh, Tomite…be careful," Inami said as she headed back for the temple. Tomite raced on toward Hong-Nan frantically. (Genbu, please protect your daughter while I'm not there by her side.)
Sakura found herself in front of a huge palace. There were guards everywhere and they were all dressed in red. Chichiri smiled when he saw the expression on Sakura's face. "Would you like to come inside?" Chichiri asked.
Sakura nodded with excitement and followed Chichiri inside. (I hope Tomite's not mad at me.) Chichiri led Sakura into what seemed to be a throne room. On a chair in front of her, was a young man dressed in a red outfit. He wore what looked like a crown on his head. The man stood up and smiled at Sakura. He walked down toward them and Sakura suddenly realized that Chichiri was on his knees bowing to the man. Sakura dropped to her knees and bowed her head too.
"Chichiri? Who is this young woman with you?" the man asked.
"Hotohori, I found this girl on the border of here and Hokkan. She looked to be lost, so I brought her here," Chichiri said.
"What is your name?" Hotohori asked Sakura.
Sakura looked up and stared into the man's eyes. His smile made her heart begin to race. "My name is Sakura," Sakura said with a smile. Hotohori put out his hand and Sakura took it. He helped her up gently and continued to smile at her.
"Well, Lady Sakura, welcome to Hong-Nan. I am the Emperor of this country, Konan," Hotohori said. "What brings you here?"
"Well…I was kind of running away from someone," Sakura said as she remembered what had happened with Tomite.
"Well then, Chichiri, why don't you have the cooks cook some food and then gather the rest of the Suzaku Seven and we'll have dinner," Hotohori said.
"Yes, your majesty," Chichiri said as he hurried along.
Hotohori took Sakura's hand and they took a walk outside. "Your kingdom is beautiful," Sakura said. "It's definitely not as cold as Hokkan."
"Yes, well because we're in the south, it is always warm no matter what," Hotohori said with a smile. "Come. I would like you to meet the other Suzaku Seven."
"Suzaku Seven? Is that like the Genbu Seven?" Sakura asked.
"Yes. Like the Genbu Seven are to protect the Priestess of Genbu, the Suzaku Seven must protect the Priestess of Suzaku," Hotohori said. "How do you know of the Genbu Seven?"
(Uh oh. I better not tell him that I'm the Priestess of Genbu. If their countries aren't allies then they might kill me. I better keep it a secret.) "Umm…I heard about them and their story from a merchant. It was quite interesting," Sakura said.
"Then I'm sure you would be interested in meeting the Suzaku Seven, huh?" Hotohori asked.
"Of course," Sakura said with a smile as she followed Hotohori back into the palace.
Tomite found himself in the capital city of Konan, Hong-Nan. (She wouldn't come here, would she? Oh well…I better ask around.) Tomite stopped at one of the merchant's carts and saw the merchant sitting in front of it. "Excuse me, sir? Have you seen a young woman with black hair? She was wearing a pink shirt with transparent sleeves and black, wavy pants. Have you seen her?" Tomite asked.
"Hmm…pink transparent sleeves, huh? And black hair? Does her hair have like a reddish tint to it?" The merchant asked.
"Why yes! You've seen her?" Tomite asked.
The merchant nodded. "She was walking with one of the wanderers. He took her to the palace," the merchant said.
"Thank you," Tomite said as he rode off toward the palace. (Sakura, why were you with a wanderer? Did he kidnap you? If they find out that you're the Genbu No Miko, I don't know what will happen.)
Hotohori sat down at one end of the table and Sakura sat down next to him. She saw 6 other people at the table, Chichiri was at the far end staring at her with a smile. Hotohori stood up and smiled down at Sakura. "We have a guest today that I would like you all to meet," Hotohori said. "This is Sakura, she came in from Hokkan. I would like to invite her to stay within the palace walls for as long as she would like."
Sakura's eyes grew wide. "Uh…sure," Sakura said hesitantly.
Hotohori smiled brightly. "Sakura, this is Nuriko, Tamahome, Chichiri, you already know, Tasuki, Mitsukake, and Chiriko, they are amongst the Suzaku Seven," Hotohori said.
"But that would be six," Sakura said.
"I am the last, Hotohori," Hotohori said.
Sakura gasped. "Oh. Well hello everyone," Sakura greeted.
Just then a guard came running in. "Your highness, there's a man claiming to be one of the Genbu Seven outside. He would like to speak to you about the Priestess of Genbu," the guard said.
(Tomite? Could it be him? Could he have really followed me out here?)
"The Priestess of Genbu? Why?" Nuriko asked.
"He believes that we have her in our possession," the guard said.
"Excuse me, Lady Sakura, I will be right back," Hotohori said as he walked away. Sakura got up and peered around the corner. He saw Hotohori speaking to someone but couldn't see who it was. Then Hotohori moved to the side and Sakura saw Tomite.
Sakura gasped. "Would you like to be by Hotohori's side?" Chichiri asked.
Chichiri escorted Sakura out of the room and he walked her over toward Hotohori. "Hotohori, I'm sure we can figure something reasonable out, correct?" Chichiri asked.
Hotohori smiled when he saw Sakura. "Lady Sakura," Hotohori said.
"Sakura!?!" Tomite exclaimed.
"Hello Tomite," Sakura greeted. (Oh no, he's mad, I know he is.)
"You two know each other?" Hotohori asked. "Then Sakura you must be…"
"The Priestess of Genbu? Yeah," Sakura said. "You're not mad at me, are you, Hotohori?"
Hotohori smiled and shook his head. "Of course not," Hotohori said. "Your invitation to stay in the palace is still open and I will extend it to him too, if you'd like?"
Sakura smiled and she threw her arms around Hotohori. "Thank you, Hotohori," Sakura said happily.
Hotohori smiled and then let her go. "Well, I'll leave you two alone," Hotohori said. "Come, Chichiri. Let's eat."
Chichiri and Hotohori walked away and left Sakura alone with Tomite. Sakura watched them leave, but then realized she was alone with Tomite. Sakura turned around and saw Tomite staring at her. His eyes were filled with worry. (He's mad, I can feel it.) "Tomite…" Sakura began but suddenly she found herself in Tomite's arms.
"Sakura, I was so worried about you," Tomite cried. "Why did you leave? Why?"
***Chapter Four: The Truth is coming soon
Sakura dragged herself as far south as she could. Slowly, she felt herself get warmer and noticed that the temperature was getting warmer too. She looked down and noticed that there wasn't any snow. Sakura smiled and realized she wasn't in Hokkan anymore. Sakura turned around and stared back at the snow covered country. (I guess this is good bye, Tomite.) Sakura turned back around and started running toward the new country. Suddenly, a man with blue hair stopped her. He carried a staff with him and looked like a wanderer. "Did you just come from the icy lands of Hokkan?" the wanderer asked.
"Yeah," Sakura said. "Who are you?"
"My name is Chichiri, I'm a Warrior of Suzaku," the wanderer said. "Why don't you come with me to the capital of Konan, Hong-Nan. I'll introduce you to the Emperor."
"Sounds like fun," Sakura said as they began to walk toward the big city of Hong-Nan.
Tomite and Inami finally reached the border of Hokkan and Konan. "This is the border," Inami said. "She wouldn't go any further. She wouldn't last, would she?"
Tomite turned to Inami. "Go back to Hokkan and tell Hikitsu that I think that Sakura has gone into Konan. I will go alone," Tomite said. "Tell him to continue with the preparations for the ceremony."
"Are you sure? What if the Suzaku Seven attack you?" Inami asked.
"I'll be fine. I have to take care of her," Tomite said. "This is all my fault, Inami. Before she disappeared…I told her that I loved her."
Inami gasped. "Tomite…" Inami began but Tomite continued to talk.
"I told her that I fell in love with her from the moment I met her," Tomite explained. "She said she didn't know if she felt the same way. I felt like my heart was torn to pieces, but I still love her. I've got to find her…on my own."
"Oh, Tomite…be careful," Inami said as she headed back for the temple. Tomite raced on toward Hong-Nan frantically. (Genbu, please protect your daughter while I'm not there by her side.)
Sakura found herself in front of a huge palace. There were guards everywhere and they were all dressed in red. Chichiri smiled when he saw the expression on Sakura's face. "Would you like to come inside?" Chichiri asked.
Sakura nodded with excitement and followed Chichiri inside. (I hope Tomite's not mad at me.) Chichiri led Sakura into what seemed to be a throne room. On a chair in front of her, was a young man dressed in a red outfit. He wore what looked like a crown on his head. The man stood up and smiled at Sakura. He walked down toward them and Sakura suddenly realized that Chichiri was on his knees bowing to the man. Sakura dropped to her knees and bowed her head too.
"Chichiri? Who is this young woman with you?" the man asked.
"Hotohori, I found this girl on the border of here and Hokkan. She looked to be lost, so I brought her here," Chichiri said.
"What is your name?" Hotohori asked Sakura.
Sakura looked up and stared into the man's eyes. His smile made her heart begin to race. "My name is Sakura," Sakura said with a smile. Hotohori put out his hand and Sakura took it. He helped her up gently and continued to smile at her.
"Well, Lady Sakura, welcome to Hong-Nan. I am the Emperor of this country, Konan," Hotohori said. "What brings you here?"
"Well…I was kind of running away from someone," Sakura said as she remembered what had happened with Tomite.
"Well then, Chichiri, why don't you have the cooks cook some food and then gather the rest of the Suzaku Seven and we'll have dinner," Hotohori said.
"Yes, your majesty," Chichiri said as he hurried along.
Hotohori took Sakura's hand and they took a walk outside. "Your kingdom is beautiful," Sakura said. "It's definitely not as cold as Hokkan."
"Yes, well because we're in the south, it is always warm no matter what," Hotohori said with a smile. "Come. I would like you to meet the other Suzaku Seven."
"Suzaku Seven? Is that like the Genbu Seven?" Sakura asked.
"Yes. Like the Genbu Seven are to protect the Priestess of Genbu, the Suzaku Seven must protect the Priestess of Suzaku," Hotohori said. "How do you know of the Genbu Seven?"
(Uh oh. I better not tell him that I'm the Priestess of Genbu. If their countries aren't allies then they might kill me. I better keep it a secret.) "Umm…I heard about them and their story from a merchant. It was quite interesting," Sakura said.
"Then I'm sure you would be interested in meeting the Suzaku Seven, huh?" Hotohori asked.
"Of course," Sakura said with a smile as she followed Hotohori back into the palace.
Tomite found himself in the capital city of Konan, Hong-Nan. (She wouldn't come here, would she? Oh well…I better ask around.) Tomite stopped at one of the merchant's carts and saw the merchant sitting in front of it. "Excuse me, sir? Have you seen a young woman with black hair? She was wearing a pink shirt with transparent sleeves and black, wavy pants. Have you seen her?" Tomite asked.
"Hmm…pink transparent sleeves, huh? And black hair? Does her hair have like a reddish tint to it?" The merchant asked.
"Why yes! You've seen her?" Tomite asked.
The merchant nodded. "She was walking with one of the wanderers. He took her to the palace," the merchant said.
"Thank you," Tomite said as he rode off toward the palace. (Sakura, why were you with a wanderer? Did he kidnap you? If they find out that you're the Genbu No Miko, I don't know what will happen.)
Hotohori sat down at one end of the table and Sakura sat down next to him. She saw 6 other people at the table, Chichiri was at the far end staring at her with a smile. Hotohori stood up and smiled down at Sakura. "We have a guest today that I would like you all to meet," Hotohori said. "This is Sakura, she came in from Hokkan. I would like to invite her to stay within the palace walls for as long as she would like."
Sakura's eyes grew wide. "Uh…sure," Sakura said hesitantly.
Hotohori smiled brightly. "Sakura, this is Nuriko, Tamahome, Chichiri, you already know, Tasuki, Mitsukake, and Chiriko, they are amongst the Suzaku Seven," Hotohori said.
"But that would be six," Sakura said.
"I am the last, Hotohori," Hotohori said.
Sakura gasped. "Oh. Well hello everyone," Sakura greeted.
Just then a guard came running in. "Your highness, there's a man claiming to be one of the Genbu Seven outside. He would like to speak to you about the Priestess of Genbu," the guard said.
(Tomite? Could it be him? Could he have really followed me out here?)
"The Priestess of Genbu? Why?" Nuriko asked.
"He believes that we have her in our possession," the guard said.
"Excuse me, Lady Sakura, I will be right back," Hotohori said as he walked away. Sakura got up and peered around the corner. He saw Hotohori speaking to someone but couldn't see who it was. Then Hotohori moved to the side and Sakura saw Tomite.
Sakura gasped. "Would you like to be by Hotohori's side?" Chichiri asked.
Chichiri escorted Sakura out of the room and he walked her over toward Hotohori. "Hotohori, I'm sure we can figure something reasonable out, correct?" Chichiri asked.
Hotohori smiled when he saw Sakura. "Lady Sakura," Hotohori said.
"Sakura!?!" Tomite exclaimed.
"Hello Tomite," Sakura greeted. (Oh no, he's mad, I know he is.)
"You two know each other?" Hotohori asked. "Then Sakura you must be…"
"The Priestess of Genbu? Yeah," Sakura said. "You're not mad at me, are you, Hotohori?"
Hotohori smiled and shook his head. "Of course not," Hotohori said. "Your invitation to stay in the palace is still open and I will extend it to him too, if you'd like?"
Sakura smiled and she threw her arms around Hotohori. "Thank you, Hotohori," Sakura said happily.
Hotohori smiled and then let her go. "Well, I'll leave you two alone," Hotohori said. "Come, Chichiri. Let's eat."
Chichiri and Hotohori walked away and left Sakura alone with Tomite. Sakura watched them leave, but then realized she was alone with Tomite. Sakura turned around and saw Tomite staring at her. His eyes were filled with worry. (He's mad, I can feel it.) "Tomite…" Sakura began but suddenly she found herself in Tomite's arms.
"Sakura, I was so worried about you," Tomite cried. "Why did you leave? Why?"
***Chapter Four: The Truth is coming soon
