Disclaimer: Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Fushigi Yuugi but I do own a rather nice '96 Subaru Impreza. If Watase Yuu wishes to swap with me though, I'd be willing to consider it.

~ Let's recap, shall we? Miaka and Nuriko escaped the bandits when Nuriko made and reneged on a deal with Chichiri. Hotohori left to go find the pair and Tamahome took the opportunity to pull off his biggest heist ever - stealing the nation. Hotohori met up with Chichiri and the twins. He told Chichiri his life story, except for the part where he was the emperor of Konan. Tasuki is in a power struggle with Nakago that has been going on since their leader's death several years prior. The bandit of Suzaku recruits naïve little Chiriko to his side with the promise of glory. Chichiri and co. were on their way to the capital to make good on Nuriko's promise. Miaka and Nuriko are in Chouko, surviving by exploiting the seishi's great strength. It's all going to come together soon. ~

Spelling not Required

Chapter Ten: It's All Coming Together Now

By: omni82

"One, two, three…" Nuriko did her best to block the sound of Miaka's voice out. They were sharing a small apartment, now decorated lavishly with gifts given to the pair by their adoring fans. The empress couldn't believe her luck. Not only had she escaped the pressures and obligations of her station, but also she had escaped it with someone so talented at making money that she was practically guaranteed the opulent lifestyle she had enjoyed as a princess makes. Now if only her companion wasn't so damned insane…

"Do you really have to count the money again, Miaka? You've done it twice already today. Why can't you just let it go?" At her seishi's insistence, the priestess of Suzaku kept her underwear off the floor. This proved to be less of an inconvenience than Miaka had originally expected because now she had the space to lie out each and every coin they possessed. It was fast becoming her nightly ritual to count their money and hide it in a new and unusual place before going to sleep. And for good reason too.

"I won't let a single yen escape me, Nuriko! I swear by the breath of Suzaku that I won't let that bastard who calls himself our landlord get even a penny of my money!" Miaka cried passionately. Nuriko just rolled her eyes and went back to brushing her hair. She heard this every night.

"You can't still be mad at him for beating you to that fish can you? He grabbed it first, fair and square. I'm surprised he agreed to rent to us after that black eye you gave him. Do you really have to be so violent?"

"I don't care," Miaka told her petulantly. "Myoujuan is the meanest man to tread this part of Konan. And his wife is a witch too."

"His wife is a demon, dear. There's a difference. And don't you hold that against her, either. Shoka can't help being the way she is. I think they're both perfectly lovely people. If you won't pay the rent, I will." Nuriko said firmly. She made a grab for the purse that Miaka clutched to her chest.

"No Nuriko, no!" She shrieked.

"Give me that!"

The scuffle that ensued brought the man in question to their door. Myoujuan had just begun pounding on the door when Nuriko, using her exceptional strength, flipped Miaka onto her face and wrenched the purse from her grasp. After hastily fixing her clothing and running a delicate hand through her extraordinary violet hair, Nuriko opened the door. She offered their disgruntled landlord a sweet smile.

"Myoujuan-san, we were just talking about you."

"Is that so? I hope it was about how desperately you wanted to pay your rent which is due in two days, ladies." Myoujuan reminded them. He was a big man, his bulk filling up the doorway so that Nuriko couldn't even see past him to the hallway. He nearly always wore a gentle smile and had a small white cat that followed him around everywhere.

"Can we pay it early? I have the money right here." Nuriko asked. Myoujuan nodded and she started counting out coins. Meanwhile, Miaka was scraping herself off the floor.

"Ow," she hissed, plunking down to sit on the floor Indian-style. "Nuriko, you bitch, I have a splinter." She clutched her left wrist and gazed at the heel of her hand that was scraped and bleeding.

Myoujuan entered the apartment and knelt at Miaka's side. "Let me take care of that for you," he said. Capturing her small hand between his, he swiftly removed the offending sliver. Miaka stared in wonder as her wound stopped bleeding and the reddened skin became whole again.

"That's amazing," Nuriko breathed.

"That's high marketable," Miaka declared.

"Any doctor can remove a splinter," he told them wryly. "It isn't like I'm performing brain surgery, though it may be of more use to this patient than a splinter-free hand." He stood up and, ignoring Miaka's fierce scowl, and left the rooms. The pair sat quietly, as his fading footsteps became nothing but silence.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Nuriko finally asked.

"Yeah. If we brought him on, we could make a killing." Miaka answered absently. She was rubbing the newly healed skin with a forefinger. Something about him was so familiar and irritating. It was as if…

"It's like he's Chouko's version of Tamahome for me," she explained aloud. Nuriko sighed.

"Do you ever listen to me? I said he must be a Suzaku seishi. What he did to your hand was not natural."

"A Suzaku seishi? Like you and Tama and Hotohori? What a weird koinkydink. I seem to be collecting you guys." Miaka said brightly. She got up and started puttering around the room as Nuriko stared at her.

"Are you dense? You're supposed to be collecting us! Have you given any thought at all to what being the Priestess of Suzaku means?!" Nuriko was just about to go off on to a tirade when Miaka's laughter cut her short.

"I'm kidding, Nuriko. I know that I'm supposed to be looking for you guys. I have to summon Suzaku and protect Konan from all dangers." At that, she heaved a great sigh and flopped on to her bed. "It's just…"

Nuriko plopped onto the bed beside her. They lay on their sides now, face to face. "What's the matter, Miaka? Being Priestess of Suzaku is a very great honor."

"I know," Miaka replied miserably. "It's just that I don't want to do it! I don't want the fate of the nation riding on my shoulders! I'm irresponsible and dumb. I don't have any of the qualities a priestess should have. I'm clumsy, I eat too much, and I rob innocent people. Back home, everyone knew that I'd never amount to anything and that was okay. I never had to do anything great but here…" Her voice trailed off. "What if I mess it up?" She asked in a little voice.

Nuriko began stroking her hair. "Hey, look at me. You aren't dumb. You may be a little irresponsible but you have a caring heart and that counts for a lot. Suzaku chose you as his priestess for a certain reason. You have such energy about you; it inspires people. I never thought I would ever escape the pressures of my life but here I am in a city, perfectly anonymous and glad to be so. You make me hope, Miaka. You make Myoujuan emote. You made Tamahome famous and more daring. You've made Hotohori free. You've accomplished more than you think you have. You'll find the rest of the seishi and change their lives too. And when you finally summon Suzaku, I have no doubt that it will be he and not you that will be doing the bowing. So brighten up, you still have more adventuring left to do. Let's have the most fun we possibly can before continuing your mission."

"Does that mean we can go to a nudey bar?" Miaka asked hopefully between her sniffles. Nuriko smiled and laughed.

"If you want to. I guess I can forget I'm a married."

"A married virgin no less. Nuriko, you know if you and Hotohori don't consummate your marriage in six months, it's automatically annulled." Miaka reminded her gently.

"Six months? We had better get crackin.'" She joked but Miaka's knowing stare caused her to sigh. "I know all about that. Hotohori-sama told me on our wedding night."

"Really? That's not very romantic."

"Yeah, it was definitely a mood killer for me." Nuriko agreed. "It's because he's in love with you. He wants his bride to be you."

Miaka choked. "You can't be serious! Hotohori doesn't want to marry me! I'd be a pitiful empress. He'd have to pardon my crimes every other hour."

"I know that and you know that but he doesn't. Besides, it won't matter that much if what I heard today was true."

"Is there a civil war coming?" Miaka inquired her interest piqued.

"I heard that the current emperor pro tempore was not of royal blood but of divine. Hotohori has left the palace and placed one of the Suzaku seishi in charge!" Nuriko explained to her befuddled companion.

"Tamahome?" Miaka gasped. "He was the only one left in the palace when we went shopping that day. He was hurt badly so Hotohori must have left him behind to watch over the nation while he came to look for us. And here I thought Hotohori was smart! Doesn't he realize that Tamahome would do anything to get his hands on that much wealth?"

"And power," Nuriko agreed. "I shudder to think of what Tama-babe is doing right now."

***

"Tamahome-sama, may we speak to you?" Four advisors had found him and now Tamahome was backed into a corner. You would think he'd be living the wild life as the emperor but no, every time he turned around another councilor showed up, needing attention. They were like a bunch of three-year-olds and it was pissing him off majorly. Just as soon as his stitches came out, he was going to kick each and every one of their asses. But until then…

"Yes?" Tamahome asked with exasperation. The men began babbling excitedly, interrupting each other in their haste.

Tamahome groaned and leaned against a nearby wall. He didn't really care about whatever these idiots were blabbing on about but as emperor he had to at least pretend to pay attention. But he swore to Suzaku above that when Hotohori came back and he was legally crowned, the old busybodies would be the first to go. This warrior of Suzaku wasn't stupid like the rest of the emperors; he would appoint people to his cabinet who listened to him and had something good to say when they open their mouths. Briefly, he wondered how many of the women in his harem would be competent.

"Sire? Are you listening to me?!" Finally, one advisor caught on that Tamahome was really faking his attention and began to scream in his ear. "Did you even hear one word I just said about the bandit problem?"

"Bandit problem? What bandit problem?" Tamahome demanded. He hated bandits! Bandits are dirty. Bandits are hicks. Bandits smell. Bandits don't let the very fine women of Konan into their flaming all boys' club. By Suzaku, bandit problems needed immediate attention!

"You're coming with me," he told the councilor, pulling on the tubby man's robes. Leading the official like one would a horse, Tamahome managed to situate the portly man in his office without bursting a single stitch. When the man began to fidget in what Tamahome could only describe as awe, the emperor pro tempore started to pace. God, it was a miracle that he hadn't been driven to drink by now!

"Start at the beginning and leave nothing out." It was a reasonable demand but maybe he should have included a no stammering clause in it as the advisor started stuttering every other word.

"T-the b-b-bandits of Mount Reikaku a-are ad-ad-advancing t-to the c-c-c…"

"Just spit it out man!" Tamahome hollered. He was getting a deeper appreciation for the gray hairs that Hotohori tried so desperately to hide.

"The bandits of Mount Reikaku are advancing on the capital and claim that by the restrictions of honor, you owe them the country!" The advisor was breathless after blurting out what he imagined to be his death-sentence. To think that it would all come to this: the nation stolen twice in the last two months! He needed to get a better job if he even lived through this ordeal.

Tamahome just cocked an eyebrow. "Terms of honor, huh? I don't recall making any deals with anyone that would put me in the sticky situation of turning over the country, which I so rightfully stole! Who told you this load of bullshit?"

"S-sire, a messenger arrived not ten minutes ago. I tried to tell you but you wouldn't listen…" The man was pulled out of his seat and, for the second time that day, was pulled around by the emperor of Konan.

"The throne room, right?" Tamahome asked, his stride never pausing. There were so many intricacies for royal conduct that he could never remember it all. It didn't really bother him to ask for help; how else could you learn? He was mildly certain that messengers were received in the throne room but the advisor's confirmation gave him little to rejoice about. So what if he was picking up the required polish? Some dirty hicks were out to steal his accomplishment right out from under him. Well, they would regret the day they ever butted heads with Suzaku no seishi Tamahome!

Settling himself on the newly upholstered throne, Tamahome regally beckoned the guards to bring forth the messengers. He was so good at pretending to be noble that if this didn't work out, he could look forward to a successful career as an actor.

Six burly, brutish soldiers escorted the messengers in. The bandits were a motley crew, dusty and weary from their travels. Internally, Tamahome smirked. It was so sweet when your prejudices had factual roots.

"Speak," was all he said though. It was best not to irritate those who wished you harm.

A man of medium height and slight build stepped forward. Briefly, Tamahome's attention was caught buy the sheer defiance of gravity the outlaw's hair possessed. With the hair, the one eye, and the proud demeanor, messenger was a fine example of a criminal. Oh, how Tamahome missed being out on the streets, mugging people with Miaka. Those were the simpler days.

"Sire, I come on behalf of my leader Genrou of the Mount Reikaku tribe. The matter is most urgent and of great importance."

Tamahome took in the disrespectful way the man refused to kneel before him. He noted the vacant expressions of the two boys standing behind their sub-commander if the messenger could be called that. And he also didn't miss the flaring nostrils of the man standing slightly behind the messenger. And although shadows concealed the man's face and shoulders, Tamahome had a good idea who the person was and why he was angered by the way everyone catered to their new emperor. This was so good.

"Please continue," Tamahome said smoothly. "I have heard great things about your leader and wish to hear what business he thinks he has with me."

The messenger looked nonplussed when Tamahome referred to Genrou's exploits as great. Shouldn't the emperor hate the criminal who was such a thorn in his side? Nevertheless, he continued as instructed. "As you may have noticed, your wife and Priestess were abducted by our leader some time ago. They were not harmed in any way, no da, but the empress was unfortunately forced to make a promise that we expect you to honor." Tamahome crooked an eyebrow. Didn't he know of the coup? Any promise Nuriko made bound Hotohori, not him.

"Pray tell, what was this promise she made?"

"The lady swore on her husband's life that she would not run away. I'm afraid she did just that scant minutes after making such an oath, no da. And though she and the Priestess have been recaptured, we still expect you to honor her agreement. After all, you don't want anything to happen to them, do you?"

Tamahome smiled broadly; he couldn't help it. "And how does this concern me?" He queried with feigned nonchalance.

"I've come to claim your life, no da." The messenger said seriously. "Honor demands that you give it up quietly and without delay. The emperor of Konan is an honorable man who would have no choice but to oblige if he wanted to save the lives of those two women."

Tamahome kept grinning. "That was extraordinarily clever." He remarked, getting off his throne and heading toward the small group. Several advisors and soldiers tried to stop him but he just shrugged them off.

"I thought so, no da." The messenger said, his smile growing to match Tamahome's.

"Can I ask the name of the man who would be my killer?"

"Chichiri, no da. I promise to make it quick and painless."

Tamahome threw his head back and roared with laughter. This was priceless; his power was cemented now. Still chuckling, he slung an arm around Chichiri's neck affably. He turned the man to face his companions, notably the one who was scowling so fiercely now.

"Well Chichiri, Nuriko fell into your trap as you planned. But I'm afraid that your little deal with her has nothing to do with me. Maybe if she had sworn on the life of the emperor, it would be different although not by much. You were right to say that previous emperor of Konan was an honorable man. I'm sure he would have walked right into his death but I am not so saintly. The business you have is with Nuriko's husband and not me. Isn't that right Hotohori?"

Chichiri gaped at the ex-emperor and the twins stared in horror.

"You aren't a woman?" They cried in unison.

"No, I'm not a woman." Hotohori said stonily. "And it looks like I am not the emperor either."

"As for your threat against the Priestess of Suzaku's life and the life of the ex-empress, I don't believe you really have them. You see, I spent a lot of time with Miaka. For several months we lived together so I have an almost psychic connection to her. And I have this gut feeling that not only is she not with you but she's having the time of her life. So really, my dear Chichiri, you have nothing to deal with."

Chichiri was speechless. Tamahome took advantage of that and turned the man around again. "Let's get some rooms made up for you and your friends." He suggested gently. "I can't let a Suzaku no seishi just wander off into the sunset, you know."

"I'm your prisoner?" Chichiri found his voice but it was very faint. Genrou was going to kill him! Maybe it was best that he stay in the palace where he was safe from his boss's rage.

As a pair of soldiers helped the emperor's new 'guests' stagger away, Hotohori turned on his star brother. "We are going to talk about this Tamahome." he hissed. "You must be insane to think that you can manage an empire correctly!"

"Hotohori, you are absolutely correct. We do have to talk. But you are the insane one if you think I'm going to give up my empire so easily!" Tamahome replied in much the same tone. Hotohori drew back, an appalled expression on his face.

"You sure as hell aren't going to have me to worry about stealing your throne!" He exclaimed. "I've done my time and am glad to be rid of the damned thing. I just don't want to see you run the country where I live into the ground."

Tamahome sighed, the sound of audible relief. That was one less thing to worry about it seemed. Hotohori wouldn't let him screw up the ruling process too badly and he was glad. Only his biggest worry hadn't been resolved now.

"Tell me what you know about Miaka," he said, walking companionably next to his friend. And he prayed that for once, everything would be all right.

TBC…