Disclaimers: I don't own any of the Fushigi Yuugi characters, so please don't sue penniless me.
Author's Note: Gee, you liked my story enough to read the second chapter, thanks! Please enjoy! Send comments, but no flames, to SailorStarJen@aol.com.
Fushigi Yuugi
Hand of Destiny
Chapter Two: The Priestess of Suzaku
By: Delphine
We never know how high we are by Emily Dickinson
We never know how high we are
Till we are asked to rise
And then if we are true to plan
Our statures touch the skies-
The Heroism we recite
Would be a normal thing
Did not ourselves the cubits warp
For fear to be a King-
It was a nice summer day and everything was bright and cheery in the Palace garden. Flowers of all colors were blooming everywhere. Birds were chirping and bees were buzzing. All in all it was the perfect place to relax a troubled mind. That probably was the reason why the garden's only two occupants were there.
The first was a young man around eighteen. He had glorious long brown hair that flowed down his back only held together by a small red band at the bottom. He was dressed in fashionable red robes. The young man was the Emperor Saihitei of the Konan Empire. The golden brown eyes of Saihitei reflected loneliness as he stared into his hand held mirror.
The other was what seemed to be a young woman sitting by a pond, starring at her reflection with eyes that appeared almost pink. A court princess, Lady Kourin, held a majestic look to her. Long purple hair was wrapped in a bun on top of her head with the rest braided down her back. The multi-colored dress suited her perfectly. To sum it up she was a beautiful woman, one with a huge secret.
So basically both were troubled with personal problems. Little did they know that the solution to their problems was about to appear out of thin air, literally. In a blinding flash of red light and a loud splash the girl, Jennifer, fell into a very wet pond. The splash succeeded in soaking Kourin, causing her to shriek rather loudly. The commotion attracted Saihitei. Both stared at this strange girl.
There are many things Jennifer hated and getting wet was one of them. It wasn't that she couldn't swim for she could quite well, she just didn't particularly like water. Now she was wet, cold, and weary. She just managed to make it to shore before collapsing. In her tired state she could barely hear two voices speaking. Jennifer felt herself lifted by strong arms. Held against a warm, flat chest she drifted into a peaceful sleep.
Saihitei blinked in disbelief. The fragile looking Kourin had effortlessly picked up the mysterious girl. Today has certainly been full of surprises, especially if this young girl is whom I think she is, the Konan emperor thought. "I'll take her," he said finally.
Kourin's eyes widened in surprise with a hint of some other emotion, one he wasn't sure of. The lady did as her emperor demanded and handed the wet girl to him. When he gave her a gesture of dismissal she left. Saihitei didn't notice the new appearance of a trunk and the rest of the tree lying on the ground like it had been knocked over by a strong person. The emperor carried his burden towards the palace. He stopped the first servant in order for him to deliver a message. "Tell them I believe I have found the Priestess of Suzaku."
"The Emperor of Konan carried the girl from another world into the palace," read Jacob.
Marcia, who'd been reading over his shoulder said, "I bet that's Hotohori." She frowned, "I thought that Tamahome was the first of the Suzaku Seven to be introduced."
He shrugged. "I guess it's different, then."
"But I want Tamahome to be there!"
"He still might come into the story," reassured Jacob.
"Yeah!" she shouted, jumping around and dancing. She began to chant, "Tamahome, Tamahome, Tamahome, Tamahome, Tamahome!"
Jacob groaned and buried his face in his hands. "Would you please stop that!" he said exasperated.
Fists on her hips she smirked, "Why? Jealous?"
Jacob's face turned red. "Of course not!"
"Yeah, right!"
"I am not jealous!"
Putting her right index finger to her chin she gave a thoughtful look. "Could you perhaps like Jennifer," she said, slyly.
"As a friend!" shouted Jacob, getting up from the wooden bench he had been sitting at.
"Ah ha! You like Soi, then!" she declared.
"Do not!"
"How about Nuriko!"
"No!"
Marcia got a defensive look. "You don't like my Tamahome do you?"
"No I don't, I'm not like that! I don't like anyone!" By this time Jacob's face was burning with fury and you could almost see smoke coming off him.
Marcia just calmly sat down. "What'd I say to get you mad?"
Jacob growled at the evil smile on her face.
Jennifer slowly opened her eyes. Blinking and yawning sleepily she looked around. She was in a very nice room with the bed she was in, a dresser, desk, and mirror. Each was beautifully crafted and carved with different designs. She heard the door creek open and a rather old and unattractive woman stepped through caring Jennifer's folded clean clothes.
It was then that the girl noticed she was wearing a nightgown of some kind. The woman smiled kindly at Jennifer. "So you finally woke up," the old lady said.
"What happened? Where am I? Last thing I remember I was reading my new book," Jennifer babbled.
Setting the clothes on the bed next to Jennifer the women answered the girl; "You are in the palace of the Konan Empire. You somehow fell into the garden's pond."
Konan? I'm in Konan, how is it possible? It's just an anime! But that book… I might as well play along. Looking at the elderly lady she said, "I've never heard of Konan."
The woman smiled a bit. "Where are you from then?"
"America"
The woman's smile grew larger. "Then the Emperor was right."
Jennifer gave a confused look. "Right about what?"
"About you being the Priestess of Suzaku."
"What!" screeched Marcia.
Jacob winced at the high pitched sound. "She did read the incantation on the first page. We both know what happened to Miaka when she read the same incantation."
"So what! I wanted to be the Priestess of Suzaku and have Tamahome fall in love with me!"
Not this again, Jacob thought sighing. "Look you can still have Tamahome."
"I can?" asked Marcia as her eyes went all starry and little hearts floated around her.
Jacob sweat dropped. "Well, Tamahome reminds Jennifer too much of one of her older brothers for her to like him like that."
"Yea!" Marcia shouted as she jumped up started prancing around. She once again began her chant, "Tamahome, Tamahome, Tamahome…"
"Why me?" he grumbled.
Just breathe. You have to act like you're totally clueless, Jennifer told herself. Giving her best "totally lost" expression she asked the old lady, "The Priestess of Suzaku? What's that?"
"Not what but who and that who is you."
"Huh?"
Taking a deep breath the old lady began to explain. "There are four empires: Konan, Kutou, Saiyo, and Hokkan. Each empire has it's own guardian beast-god. Suzaku in Konan, Seiryuu in Kutou, Byakko in Saiyo, and Genbu in Hokkan."
Looking perplexed Jennifer asked, "So you think I'm the Priestess of Suzaku?"
The woman smiled. "I know you are."
"But-"
"-Don't argue." Gesturing to the clothes, the old lady said, "Get dressed, a guard will be outside to escort you."
With that she started to leave until Jennifer called out for her to stop. "Yes?"
"My name is Jennifer, what's yours?"
Pausing in the doorway the woman said, "Taiitsukun," and left.
Taiitsukun…No way!
"Jennifer got to meet King Tut's grand-mommy!" shouted Marcia. "I wonder if she's even more hideous in real life."
"Marcia, please give me back the book."
The butterflies were having a regular fiesta in Jennifer's stomach. I've never met royalty before; I don't know how I'm supposed to act. Deep breathe, Jennifer, everything will work out. The inner pep talk didn't help her much.
Her escort, a young soldier, pushed open the doors to the throne room. He gestured for her to go in. "Well, come on feet," she quoted from the movie Labyrinth as she walked through the doorway.
Marcia snatched the book from Jacob again. "She's gonna meet Hotohori, lucky dog."
"I thought you liked Tamahome."
"Well, I like Hotohori too, so there!" she said, sticking her tongue out at him.
"Would you act your age for once?"
"I don't wanna!"
"Oh, brother."
The emperor was talking with one of his advisors when she walked in. She stopped a few feet from his throne. Saihitei brought his full attention when he noticed her standing there. "Greetings…Priestess?" he said questioningly.
Blushing and looking down at her feet, Jennifer started to speak. "Uh, about that, what makes you think I'm this Priestess you've been looking for?"
"Hmm, Jennifer-cute guy, she's drooling," commented Jacob with a smirk.
Marcia frowned and slapped him upside the head. "She's not totally guy crazy."
"Unlike you?"
"Yes, unlike me…hey!" protested Marcia.
"Told ya."
Marcia folded her arms and grumbled.
"Are you not from another world?" asked Saihitei.
"I am," admitted Jennifer.
"According to legend a girl from another world will appear, gather the seven stars of Suzaku, and summon Konan's guardian god."
"So you think that's why I'm here?"
Saihitei nodded. Jennifer furrowed her brow as she thought. It looks like I've taken over Miaka's place in the story. Oh well, might as well go along with it. Looking up into the eyes of the Emperor, she said, "I accept and will be your Priestess of Suzaku."
"I still think I should be the Priestess of Suzaku," muttered Marcia.
"You'd be worse at it then Miaka was," commented Jacob.
Marcia blew a raspberry at Jacob and his smirk.