Disclaimers: Do I really need to say this? I mean, everyone knows it by
now. *looks at lawyer*
Lawyer: *nod nod*
Lady Sage: *sigh* Fine. I don't own Fushigi Yuugi and, unless some miracle happens, I never will. But Chisa's mine. Satisfied?
Lawyer: *nod nod*
Author's Notes: This is a sequel to Love and Hate. I *strongly* suggest you read that one (and review it! *hint hint*) before starting this. Why? Because I'm the sort of fanfic writer who creates OCs and switches around situations. Anyway, I'd like to dedicate this fic to everyone who reviewed my last fic! And to everyone who will review this one! Enjoy!
Chisa and Hotohori reflected on their time together as they rode towards the palace. Five years had past since their marriage. Everyone seemed to be living happily ever after. Tamahome had gone to live with Miaka in her world, and the rest of the Suzaku Seven had decided to stay at court. Everyone was happy, that is, except for the palace officials. Chisa had become the bane of their lives. She acted like a teenager. She was impulsive, temperamental, and moody, and constantly mocking the officials for their stuffiness and picking fights with the guards. She would go into town and befriend commoners, a practice that none of the previous emperors or empresses had had. She blamed her upbringing.
"I'm a commoner, born and bred. I was born to poverty, was raised in poverty, and grew up in poverty. You people expect me to change just because the man I fall in love with happens to be the emperor?" she would laugh.
But nevertheless, she was an excellent empress. She had created a small council of men she trusted to help handle some issues, and it freed up her and Hotohori's time enormously. They now had time to travel and do things that didn't involve ruling the kingdom, which Chisa considered very important.
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!"
"Hey, remember the first time I took you to meet my family?" Chisa laughed.
*Flashback*
"Hey, everybody, I'm finally back!" Chisa dismounted from her horse and walked towards the small house.
Two people came rushing out of the house, and there was a wild chaos of tears, hugs, and cries of "Welcome home!" After about five minutes of this, everyone calmed down a bit and Chisa was able to speak. "I'm so glad to be back, you guys!" she cried, sniffling.
A little girl of about ten tugged on Chisa's sleeve. "Onee-chan, did you write me any stories while you were gone?"
"Of course, Shakala. They're in my bag. Just let me get them. Besides, I brought everyone a surprise."
A woman of about forty asked, "Really? What is it? Never mind, it can wait a few minutes." She sighed. "It's so wonderful to have you home. So the emperor finally chose a wife? What a stupid question! Of course he did, or else you wouldn't be home. Look at that suit! Still wearing boys' clothes, Chisa? I thought living in the palace would have changed your wardrobe choices a bit, but I suppose I should have known you better. But those clothes are so finely made! I can't believe you managed to get someone to make you men's' clothes at the palace. I managed to buy some new dresses with the money you sent, but nothing that could compare in quality to this. So, what is this surprise you brought?"
Chisa grinned. "You might be surprised, Okoto. My husband."
Both girls were dumbfounded. "Husband???!!!"
"Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised? Did you think I'm completely unable to catch a man?" she returned, mock-offended. Then she smiled. "You can come out, Hotohori!"
Hotohori came out of a stand of trees. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you," he greeted them.
Okoto gasped. "The emperor! If you're married to the emperor, Chisa…" She trailed off, speechless. "Your majesty!" She swept down into a curtsy, and Shakala did the same.
Chisa wrinkled her nose. "Please, don't treat me that way. I get enough of that at court. I don't need it from the people I consider my family. I've known you guys all my life. Please, Okoto, Shakala, don't do that!" There was a note of tearful pleading in her voice.
Okoto rose, and Shakala followed her. "I'm sorry, sweetie. It's just…it's not every day your surrogate daughter turns out to be the empress, is it?" She smiled weakly. "Please, come in. We don't have much, but…"
"I'm sure your home is fine," Hotohori said. Okoto motioned for him to walk in, and when Chisa began to follow him, she grabbed her arm.
"What is this business with marrying the emperor? I thought you blamed him for your situation?" she hissed.
Chisa shrugged. "I didn't know he was the emperor when I fell in love with him. Did you make lunch? Of course you did. You always have lunch ready around this time. Why do I even bother asking? Anyway, I'll tell you everything over lunch."
~**~
The four spent a pleasant lunch together. Chisa and Hotohori relayed the entire story of how they were together (AN: see "Love and Hate"), and told them how Tamahome was at the palace with Miaka.
"Onii-chan's getting married!" Shakala giggled at the point. "Then I'll have *two* onee-chans and *two* onii-chans!"
"Who is Kishuku marrying? Is she pretty? Is she nice? Of course she is. Kishuku wouldn't marry someone who isn't nice. But do you think she's good enough for him? I mean, he's such a good boy. Handsome…hardworking…a devoted son…a loving older brother…"
"Okoto has a crush on Kishuku-chan," whispered Chisa to Hotohori. "Anyway," she said, addressing all three of her companions in a louder tone. "Yes, she's nice and pretty and good enough for him. He," she indicated Hotohori, "used to be totally infatuated with her. Her name's Miaka Yuuki. She's actually from another world – she's the Priestess of Suzaku."
"No way!"
"Yep!"
Chisa also read Shakala's story out loud. It was remarkably well-written, full of romance and fantasy, with mythical beasts, divine intervention, tragedy, and joy. Chisa later said that she wrote the stories more for herself than Shakala.
~**~
"Mmm, that was good! Anyway, I'm going to go visit the Sou family now. I haven't seen them for forever either! See ya!" She ran out the door, ignoring Okoto as she yelled, "Wait!"
Okoto sank into a chair. "No…she's going to be crushed. I should stop her. I should. But I couldn't even if I tried." She looked up at Hotohori. "I'm so sorry. You see…" Hotohori stopped her.
"No need to tell me. I know already." He sat next to her. "Tamahome and I are both Suzaku seishi and friends."
"Poor Chisa! For her to find out like this… She doesn't take loss very well. Like the time my husband died. I-I just wish that there was a painless way to tell her." Shakala, who had been acting out one of her stories, grew quiet as a tear trickled down Okoto's cheek, as if they both felt the pain afresh.
~**~
"Hey, everyone! I'm back!" Chisa burst into the door of the hovel, only to be greeted by silence. "Hmm? That's odd…" She usually received an enthusiastic greeting. "Chuei? Yuiren? Anybody?" She looked around, and found nobody. "I'll look outside. They *have* to be there. I mean, they never all go into town together. They're gonna be outside." She tried to reassure herself that everyone was okay, but her heart thumped. Her intuition was warning her of bad, bad things. She was scared for everyone.
When her eyes fell on the five mounds, her eyes grew wide with horror and her blood froze. "No. Oh, Suzaku, no. This can't be real. Suzaku, this can't be real!" She fell to the ground and began to cry. "NO! They can't be dead. *They can't be dead!!!!*" She sobbed uncontrollably, her cheek against the ground. "They can't be dead," she repeated in a whisper.
She looked up when she felt someone gently touch her hair. Hotohori stood behind her. "They were killed by a Seiryuu seishi, Suboshi. Suboshi blamed Tamahome for the death of his brother, Amiboshi, and took out his revenge on Tamahome's own family."
"That's awful! It wasn't their fault Amiboshi was killed, and besides, if Kishuku killed him, he must have been doing something wrong. Kishuku would *never* have hurt anyone for no reason." Chisa turned and looked sadly at the mounds. "They were so *young*. Chuei was the oldest, and he was only twelve! They missed so much." Tears ran down her cheeks freely, and sobs broke into her words. "And the worst part is, I can't do anything to change that. What's the point in having so much power if you can't save the people who need it and deserve it? What's the point in being empress if I can't save the lives of the ones I care most about?" Hotohori knelt and hugged her.
"I know exactly how you feel. I've felt it so many times. We just need to do what we can."
Sheltered in his arms, Chisa began to sing softly. The song was from a play she had managed to sneak into once, a long time ago. Her voice trembled, and her words were broken with sobs, but it felt good to give her pain words, to shape the emotions into a form she could express easily. But at the same time, the pain became sharper. Slowly she rose, and began to pick some nearby flowers. "They...they all loved flowers. The boys pretended to think they were 'sissy stuff', but it was obvious that they loved them." She picked them carefully, taking only the most perfect ones, making sure to take the roots as well. Then, carefully, she replanted the flowers, put one onto each mound. "They deserve to have flowers with them forever." She looked up at Hotohori with red eyes and a tearstained face. "Let's go back to Okoto and Shakala. They're probably waiting for us."
*End Flashback*
Lawyer: *nod nod*
Lady Sage: *sigh* Fine. I don't own Fushigi Yuugi and, unless some miracle happens, I never will. But Chisa's mine. Satisfied?
Lawyer: *nod nod*
Author's Notes: This is a sequel to Love and Hate. I *strongly* suggest you read that one (and review it! *hint hint*) before starting this. Why? Because I'm the sort of fanfic writer who creates OCs and switches around situations. Anyway, I'd like to dedicate this fic to everyone who reviewed my last fic! And to everyone who will review this one! Enjoy!
Chisa and Hotohori reflected on their time together as they rode towards the palace. Five years had past since their marriage. Everyone seemed to be living happily ever after. Tamahome had gone to live with Miaka in her world, and the rest of the Suzaku Seven had decided to stay at court. Everyone was happy, that is, except for the palace officials. Chisa had become the bane of their lives. She acted like a teenager. She was impulsive, temperamental, and moody, and constantly mocking the officials for their stuffiness and picking fights with the guards. She would go into town and befriend commoners, a practice that none of the previous emperors or empresses had had. She blamed her upbringing.
"I'm a commoner, born and bred. I was born to poverty, was raised in poverty, and grew up in poverty. You people expect me to change just because the man I fall in love with happens to be the emperor?" she would laugh.
But nevertheless, she was an excellent empress. She had created a small council of men she trusted to help handle some issues, and it freed up her and Hotohori's time enormously. They now had time to travel and do things that didn't involve ruling the kingdom, which Chisa considered very important.
"All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy!"
"Hey, remember the first time I took you to meet my family?" Chisa laughed.
*Flashback*
"Hey, everybody, I'm finally back!" Chisa dismounted from her horse and walked towards the small house.
Two people came rushing out of the house, and there was a wild chaos of tears, hugs, and cries of "Welcome home!" After about five minutes of this, everyone calmed down a bit and Chisa was able to speak. "I'm so glad to be back, you guys!" she cried, sniffling.
A little girl of about ten tugged on Chisa's sleeve. "Onee-chan, did you write me any stories while you were gone?"
"Of course, Shakala. They're in my bag. Just let me get them. Besides, I brought everyone a surprise."
A woman of about forty asked, "Really? What is it? Never mind, it can wait a few minutes." She sighed. "It's so wonderful to have you home. So the emperor finally chose a wife? What a stupid question! Of course he did, or else you wouldn't be home. Look at that suit! Still wearing boys' clothes, Chisa? I thought living in the palace would have changed your wardrobe choices a bit, but I suppose I should have known you better. But those clothes are so finely made! I can't believe you managed to get someone to make you men's' clothes at the palace. I managed to buy some new dresses with the money you sent, but nothing that could compare in quality to this. So, what is this surprise you brought?"
Chisa grinned. "You might be surprised, Okoto. My husband."
Both girls were dumbfounded. "Husband???!!!"
"Yeah. Why do you sound so surprised? Did you think I'm completely unable to catch a man?" she returned, mock-offended. Then she smiled. "You can come out, Hotohori!"
Hotohori came out of a stand of trees. "It's a pleasure to meet both of you," he greeted them.
Okoto gasped. "The emperor! If you're married to the emperor, Chisa…" She trailed off, speechless. "Your majesty!" She swept down into a curtsy, and Shakala did the same.
Chisa wrinkled her nose. "Please, don't treat me that way. I get enough of that at court. I don't need it from the people I consider my family. I've known you guys all my life. Please, Okoto, Shakala, don't do that!" There was a note of tearful pleading in her voice.
Okoto rose, and Shakala followed her. "I'm sorry, sweetie. It's just…it's not every day your surrogate daughter turns out to be the empress, is it?" She smiled weakly. "Please, come in. We don't have much, but…"
"I'm sure your home is fine," Hotohori said. Okoto motioned for him to walk in, and when Chisa began to follow him, she grabbed her arm.
"What is this business with marrying the emperor? I thought you blamed him for your situation?" she hissed.
Chisa shrugged. "I didn't know he was the emperor when I fell in love with him. Did you make lunch? Of course you did. You always have lunch ready around this time. Why do I even bother asking? Anyway, I'll tell you everything over lunch."
~**~
The four spent a pleasant lunch together. Chisa and Hotohori relayed the entire story of how they were together (AN: see "Love and Hate"), and told them how Tamahome was at the palace with Miaka.
"Onii-chan's getting married!" Shakala giggled at the point. "Then I'll have *two* onee-chans and *two* onii-chans!"
"Who is Kishuku marrying? Is she pretty? Is she nice? Of course she is. Kishuku wouldn't marry someone who isn't nice. But do you think she's good enough for him? I mean, he's such a good boy. Handsome…hardworking…a devoted son…a loving older brother…"
"Okoto has a crush on Kishuku-chan," whispered Chisa to Hotohori. "Anyway," she said, addressing all three of her companions in a louder tone. "Yes, she's nice and pretty and good enough for him. He," she indicated Hotohori, "used to be totally infatuated with her. Her name's Miaka Yuuki. She's actually from another world – she's the Priestess of Suzaku."
"No way!"
"Yep!"
Chisa also read Shakala's story out loud. It was remarkably well-written, full of romance and fantasy, with mythical beasts, divine intervention, tragedy, and joy. Chisa later said that she wrote the stories more for herself than Shakala.
~**~
"Mmm, that was good! Anyway, I'm going to go visit the Sou family now. I haven't seen them for forever either! See ya!" She ran out the door, ignoring Okoto as she yelled, "Wait!"
Okoto sank into a chair. "No…she's going to be crushed. I should stop her. I should. But I couldn't even if I tried." She looked up at Hotohori. "I'm so sorry. You see…" Hotohori stopped her.
"No need to tell me. I know already." He sat next to her. "Tamahome and I are both Suzaku seishi and friends."
"Poor Chisa! For her to find out like this… She doesn't take loss very well. Like the time my husband died. I-I just wish that there was a painless way to tell her." Shakala, who had been acting out one of her stories, grew quiet as a tear trickled down Okoto's cheek, as if they both felt the pain afresh.
~**~
"Hey, everyone! I'm back!" Chisa burst into the door of the hovel, only to be greeted by silence. "Hmm? That's odd…" She usually received an enthusiastic greeting. "Chuei? Yuiren? Anybody?" She looked around, and found nobody. "I'll look outside. They *have* to be there. I mean, they never all go into town together. They're gonna be outside." She tried to reassure herself that everyone was okay, but her heart thumped. Her intuition was warning her of bad, bad things. She was scared for everyone.
When her eyes fell on the five mounds, her eyes grew wide with horror and her blood froze. "No. Oh, Suzaku, no. This can't be real. Suzaku, this can't be real!" She fell to the ground and began to cry. "NO! They can't be dead. *They can't be dead!!!!*" She sobbed uncontrollably, her cheek against the ground. "They can't be dead," she repeated in a whisper.
She looked up when she felt someone gently touch her hair. Hotohori stood behind her. "They were killed by a Seiryuu seishi, Suboshi. Suboshi blamed Tamahome for the death of his brother, Amiboshi, and took out his revenge on Tamahome's own family."
"That's awful! It wasn't their fault Amiboshi was killed, and besides, if Kishuku killed him, he must have been doing something wrong. Kishuku would *never* have hurt anyone for no reason." Chisa turned and looked sadly at the mounds. "They were so *young*. Chuei was the oldest, and he was only twelve! They missed so much." Tears ran down her cheeks freely, and sobs broke into her words. "And the worst part is, I can't do anything to change that. What's the point in having so much power if you can't save the people who need it and deserve it? What's the point in being empress if I can't save the lives of the ones I care most about?" Hotohori knelt and hugged her.
"I know exactly how you feel. I've felt it so many times. We just need to do what we can."
Sheltered in his arms, Chisa began to sing softly. The song was from a play she had managed to sneak into once, a long time ago. Her voice trembled, and her words were broken with sobs, but it felt good to give her pain words, to shape the emotions into a form she could express easily. But at the same time, the pain became sharper. Slowly she rose, and began to pick some nearby flowers. "They...they all loved flowers. The boys pretended to think they were 'sissy stuff', but it was obvious that they loved them." She picked them carefully, taking only the most perfect ones, making sure to take the roots as well. Then, carefully, she replanted the flowers, put one onto each mound. "They deserve to have flowers with them forever." She looked up at Hotohori with red eyes and a tearstained face. "Let's go back to Okoto and Shakala. They're probably waiting for us."
*End Flashback*