Disclaimers: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi.
Author's Note: Yahoo, I finally made it to the fourth chapter! *Jumps up and down in glee* I have to thank Skya, Jacob, and all the reviewers; without their encouragement I would never have made it this far. I do have to say I love being the author! One of the things I always hated was how Miaka fell for Tamahome and rejected poor Hotohori! Now I can keep that from happening, among other things. *Laughs evilly* So without further ado, onto the show! *gives a graceful curtsy*
Fushigi Yuugi
Hand of Destiny
Chapter Four: Journeys of the Heart
By: Delphine
Jennifer was bored, and I mean really bored. Her room at the place was filled with sketches, paper airplanes, and do-it-yourself confetti. She had done and saw everything in the palace of Konan that she could. Jennifer had played practical jokes on the palace guards, not once getting caught, she had learned to cook the popular dishes of Konan with expert ease, and she had even reluctantly learned to ride a horse. Yes, she had done all she could think of, and now it was time for her to sleep. Jennifer should have been exhausted from her day, but no she was wide-awake and hyper as ever. After counting sheep to a thousand in her desperation to fall asleep, Jennifer made a decision to talk to Hotohori. Maybe he would have a recommendation for how she could get to sleep. With her decision made, Jennifer hopped out of bed and threw on some lavender court garments that had been provided for her. After she had her hair brushed the Priestess of Suzaku left her room heading for the Emperor's room.
She spotted Hotohori talking with his advisor's in a gazebo-type structure. He had a worn out look to him. Those idiots are lecturing him again. With the intention of saving her worn out warrior, Jennifer hurried over to them. As she grew closer she could hear their voices. "Your highness, the time has come for you to think about finding a bride," said one of the dimwits.
Before the emperor could reply, Jennifer called out, "Hi, Hotohori!"
Spotting her, Hotohori smiled. "What are you doing out here?" he asked.
"I couldn't sleep," she admitted to him. After eyeing the advisor idiots, Jennifer said, "I thought maybe I could keep you company."
Hotohori, understanding her wish to save him from the trolls of duty, replied, "I would like that. A walk perhaps?"
She nodded and the two left before anyone could utter protest.
"Oh, Jennifer is hitting on the emperor," sang-song Marcia.
"Not likely," muttered Jacob, "she's not like you."
Her face went red in anger at his comment. "I'm not a flirt," she said defensively.
"Rrriiiggghhhttt," he said, sarcastically.
"As if!"
Eyeing her surroundings, Jennifer wondered why Hotohori had guided her to his chambers. Before she was able to ask, Hotohori maneuvered in front of her and cupped her right hand in both of his. She felt like she would melt as she gazed at the long brown-haired bishonen. "You heard what my advisors told me." It was not a question. Sighing he closed his lovely brown eyes. "Ever since I was I child I have been alone. When I heard about the legend of the Priestess of Suzaku, I thought here is someone who maybe will treat me like a person and not the emperor."
What a sad life he has led. Hotohori raised her hand and kissed it. Jennifer blinked in surprise and then blushed, bright red. "I have decided to fallow my advisors request in my finding a bride," he began. "My choice is you. Will you become my empress, Jennifer?"
She gasped. I never saw that coming! Then again I'd forgotten he proposed to Miaka originally to. I don't know what to do! Then again maybe I do. Giving the most serious expression she could, Jennifer said to Hotohori, "While I am leaning towards yes, I don't believe we should rush into things. We just met a few days ago and it would not be fair to either one of us if I did. Give us time to get to know one another. Say, after we summon Suzaku, if your offer still stands I will give you my answer."
"Then I shall wait as long as you need, until the end of time even," he said, leaning towards her.
"Until the end of time," mocked Jacob in Hotohori's voice. "God, that was corny."
"I think it's sweet," said Marcia.
He snorted in response. "You would."
Jennifer's eyes widened in surprise as she felt Hotohori's soft lips press against hers in a passionate kiss. He's the first boy to kiss me outside of my dreams. She closed her eyes and kissed him back.
"Oh, Jennifer and Hotohori sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G," sang Marcia.
"It's a good thing her parents don't know. Her Mom would freak out and her Dad would buy a shot gun and try to shoot Hotohori," said Jacob, matter factually.
"That's the sad thing, they probably would," admitted Marcia.
The lip locking couple where interrupted by a loud pounding on the chamber door. The two pulled away from each other, breaking the kiss. Jennifer had a dazed look on her face. "Sire, there's someone here that wishes to speak with you, he says he is a warrior of the Suzaku Seven, he's waiting in the throne room," came a messenger's voice from the other side of the door.
Both Priestess and Warrior glanced at one another in surprise. A third celestial warrior? But which one could it be?
"The Priestess of Suzaku and her Celestial Warrior hurried as fast at they could while maintaining a dignified baring," Jacob read.
Marcia snorted. "Jennifer dignified? That's a new one to me."
"She's not half as clumsy as Miaka or you for the matter."
"Hey!"
As soon as she entered the throne room, Jennifer caught sight of the person the messenger had been talking about. She glanced to her right just long of enough to notice the newly awakened Nuriko joining her and Hotohori before turning back to this newcomer. She knew as looked upon this man, with blue hair that had gravity defying bangs, the rest cropped short with a thin ponytail in back and a mask that smiled always, that he was indeed who he said he was. He dressed in a style that seemed to scream out monk with a staff in his hand. It's Chichiri! This mysterious Celestial Warrior had always been one of her favorites; to be able to meet him made her more than a little nervous.
"So you're the Priestess of Suzaku, no da?" Chichiri said.
"Hey, I thought Chichiri said you know, you know?" exclaimed Marcia.
"In the dubbed version yes, but in the original Japanese version he said no da," explained Jacob.
"So this is like the Japanese version?"
"Not really," admitted Jacob, "If it was the Japanese version Jennifer would not be called the Priestess of Suzaku, she would be Suzaku no miko."
"Oh," Marcia said, understanding what he meant. "So this is more like a mixed version of the two?"
"Looks that way."
"Yes, I am," Jennifer acknowledged.
"So Taiitsukun wasn't kidding when she said you had come," the monk said.
"You know Taiitsukun?" asked Hotohori, surprised.
Chichiri nodded. "How do you know her?" asked Nuriko a bit rudely.
It was apparent to Jennifer that the feminine Celestial Warrior did not trust him for Nuriko had moved to stand slightly in front of her in order to protect her in case the monk decided to attack. Trying to diffuse the situation before it started, Jennifer carefully rested her arm on Nuriko's and said gently, "It's okay Nuriko, we can trust him."
"He hasn't even given us proof," he protested.
"Trust me."
"Some how I don't think that'll reassure him," muttered Marcia.
"Hey, Spice-gorilla!" called out a very familiar voice.
Jacob turned his head to spot the one who had called him by that hated nickname. It was Chelsey with a group of cheerleaders. "Oh, no it's the slut squad," sneered Marcia.
"I heard that!" yelled an insulted Chelsey.
"And what about it?" retorted Marcia.
"You…" growled Chelsey.
"What?" the teenager asked, innocently.
Leaving her fellow cheerleaders, Chelsey stalked over to the two teenagers. "I'll catch up with you later," she told the others.
Ignoring the leaving cheerleaders, she turned to her sister's friends. She opened her mouth to speak but before a word could escape a meow came from the backpack slung across her shoulder. "What was that?" asked a startled Marcia.
Before Chelsey could answer, Jacob had already walked over to her and unzipped the backpack. He reached in and pulled out a gray and black tabby kitten. "Look's like Astrid decided to stow away," he said.
"Jennifer won't like it when she finds out you have her kitty," Marcia told her.
"Hey, it's not like I put her in there on purpose," defended Chelsey.
"Right…"
Ignoring Marcia's sarcastic comment, Chelsey asked, "Where is my sister anyway?"
Jacob and Marcia exchanged glances. "Well…" started Jacob.
"Please?" begged Jennifer, giving Nuriko her best puppy dog look.
Apparently he wasn't immune to her charms for he gave in quickly. "Alright, but he better give us some proof soon," he said, folding his arms and frowning.
"Thanks!" she squealed, giving Nuriko a bear of a hug and a quick peck on the cheek before she headed over to the mysterious monk.
"I think you better show them your symbol," she suggested, "that way it will stop any suspicions they have."
"Good idea, no da!" he said before reaching down to pull up his pant leg so that the red symbol on his knee could be seen. "I'm Chichiri of the Suzaku Seven, no da."
"So we've found the third Celestial Warrior," noted Hotohori.
"Yup, am I good or what?" Jennifer said.
"Now just four more to go," muttered Nuriko.
"Oh, I almost forgot, no da!" cried Chichiri, reaching into a satchel he pulled out a small hand mirror. Handing it to Jennifer, he said, "A gift from Taiitsukun, when you get near a Celestial Warrior their symbol will appear in the mirror."
"Cool!" I didn't even have to pass any stupid tests either. What was Miaka thinking when she stabbed herself?
"What!" screeched Chelsey.
"You head me, Jennifer is in the Fushigi Yuugi world," said Jacob, patiently.
"But…" It's so unfair! Jennifer always has good things happening to her! Why can't I ever win?
Marcia eyed the blond-haired girl in front of her. The only thing she has in common with her sister is her looks. Chelsey was a shorter, younger version of her sister in looks alone. Their personalities where totally different; Jennifer was a bookworm with few friends, she had only just begun to get over her shyness and her habit of being anti-social. Chelsey was the opposite; she was popular with lots of friends, she had to be the center of attention, and she was incredibly lucky while Jennifer usually had bad luck except in her grades.
"Get over it. Jennifer came out on top for once, so shut up about it," she told the cheerleader.
Chelsey flinched and closed her eyes. Oh, don't tell me she's going to cry! You would think she would get passed the cry baby stage. "It's not fair," she heard Chelsey whisper.
"To quote Jennifer: 'Life's not fair, get used to it.'"
"Hey, we're onto the next day," spoke up Jacob; "They're discussing travel plans."
"During my travels I heard of a young man with the ogre symbol on his forehead, he is supposed to like in Hakko Village in the Juso prefecture," Chichiri told them.
Jennifer and her three celestial warriors sat around a table as they ate breakfast. "Ogre, that would be Tamahome I believe," Jennifer said.
"Then we must find this warrior at once," spoke up Hotohori.
"I agree with his majesty," Nuriko put in.
"Great, let's get going then!" shouted an excited Jennifer.
"Tamahome, Tamahome, Tamahome, Tamahome!"
Jacob failed to shut out Marcia's singing. "Someone put me out of my misery," he muttered.
Sweat dropping, Chelsey asked, "Is she always like this?"
"Unfortunately."
Silly humans, thought Astrid.