A Legend Reborn
Chapter 5
Chisa rubs her eyes, the bright morning sun practically forcing them open. She sits up in her bed, yawns, and stretches.
She takes a moment to look over her surroundings.
"I almost forgot where I was....," she thinks out loud, "If I was home I'd probably be racing out the door right about now...."
She dresses, this time in the clothes the emperor left for her, and heads outside for a stroll around the palace. She sees Shyoka sitting outside on a step.
"Oh.... Morning, Shyoka!"
"Morning!" she replies.
"So, do you know if breakfast's ready yet?"
"Not yet, but it should be in a little while...."
"...mew..."
Suddenly, Mii-chan's head pops out of Shyoka's sleeve.
"Oh! I didn't realize you brought your cat with you."
"Yeah. He was asleep in the saddlebag on my horse! I couldn't have just left him at home by himself."
"Well hello there, Mii-chan!" Chisa says scratching the cat's head, he purrs loudly.
"Have you seen the emperor this morning?" Shyoka asks.
"No, I haven't. Why?"
"I was just curious....."
"I think he said he was going to be busy this morning. Didn't he say something about some meeting with some officials....?"
"Oh, yeah...."
"Mornin'."
"Ryunosuke.... Good morning...."
"They sent me to tell you breakfast is ready."
"It's about time!" Chisa takes off.
Shyoka still sits on the steps with her cat.
"Uh.... Shyoka.... are you coming....?" Ryunosuke asks.
"... Yeah, I'm coming...," Shyoka picks up her cat, who had been chasing a butterfly, and follows Ryunosuke back into the palace.
***
"Wake up! Wake up!"
"Huh....? Oh.... Nyan-Nyan....," Miaka groans.
"Good morning, Miaka! Good morning, Tamahome! Good morning, Yui!" the sprite-like girl says cheerfully.
"It can't be morning.....," Tamahome yawns.
"It is! Just look outside! The sun's shining bright! Wake up! Wake up!"
"It's too early...."
"You can't stay in bed all day!"
"Yes I can.... I'm warm and I'm comfortable...," Miaka says, "Tamahome, what about you?"
"I don't mind if you don't... Let's just stay like this all day....."
"Oh, Tamahome....."
"Miaka........"
The couple snuggle closer together.
"Some things never change......"
"It's amazing... They've been married almost eighteen years and they *still* act like a couple of love-sick teenagers!" Yui says.
"Makes ya kinda sick. Huh, Yui?"
"Shut up, Nuriko!" Miaka snaps.
"Just ignore them, Miaka.....," Tamahome says.
"All right, now it's REALLY time to go up! *clink*" Nuriko clinks his bracelets together and takes hold of one end of the mattress.
"NURIKO!!"
"PUT THE MATTRESS DOWN!!"
"WE'LL GET UP! REALLY WE WILL.....!"
*THUD*
Miaka and Tamahome find themselves in a heap on the floor.
"Owwwww!! That hurt, Nuriko!"
"NURIKO!!!! Grrrrrr... If you weren't a ghost and I could get my hands on you.....!" Tamahome growls.
"Don't you even remember what you're here for?"
"Aaah!" Tamahome turns to face Taiitsukun again, "Would you stop sneaking up on me like that, Taiitsukun?!?!"
"Oh! So you do know my name, Tamahome! Listen, we have a lot to do and much to discuss."
"I know....."
"You're right... Let's get started right now!... Well, after breakfast anyway......"
***
"Chichiri, Tasuki, are you leaving?" Chisa asks seeing the two men saddling their horses.
"We have some business to attend to, in the mountains, no daa."
"We'll be back in a day or two," Tasuki says as he straps his bags onto his horse.
"All right.... have a nice trip....."
"Bye!"
"...Okay... Now will you tell me what this is all about....?" Tasuki waits till they are a safe distance from the palace.
"Taiitsukun is summonsing us to Mt. Taikyaku, no daa."
"Really? Why just us and not Chisa and the others, too?"
"I don't know, no daa."
"What do you mean you don't know?!"
"All I know is that now I sense familiar chis that I haven't sensed in a long time, no daa."
"You mean......?"
Chichiri nods.
"What are we waiting for then?! Come on! Let's go!" Tasuki speeds his horse into a gallop.
***
"*yawn* What time is it, Keisuke?" Tetsuya asks rubbing his eyes.
"uh..... about three in the morning...," Keisuke squints at his wristwatch.
"Really? How about we take a break? We'll just leave the book laying open right there. It should be fine for a couple of hours."
"I have no problem with that..... *yawn*"
"How long has she been asleep?"
"I don't know.... I guess I should get something to cover her up with...."
"Keisuke.....?"
"Oh! She lives! Mornin', Rei."
"*yawn* Is it really morning?"
"About three....."
"Have you two been up all this time?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, I know all of this is really important, but you need sleep. Why don't you let me read while you two rest for a while?"
"Really? Thanks, Rei."
"You boys just get some sleep."
"I really appreciate you helping out, honey."
"It's no problem."
"G'night...."
"Good night, you two."
Rei fixes herself a cup of coffee and then returns with it to the living room. She picks up the book and begins to skim through it a little.
"'The young girl tells the emperor of her decision to accept her role as the Suzaku no Miko...,'" she reads, "What?! Where is this coming from?! I bet the pages got turned on accident. I better go back a little so I can figure this out... Ah... That should do it... A carnival, huh....?"
***
"A carnival?"
"It's an annual thing. You wanna go?"
"Do I?! Of course!"
"Great!"
The hours pass by slowly until the sun finally sets and it's time for the festival.
*knock knock*
"Chisa! Are you ready yet?" Shyoka says.
"Come on in!" Chisa calls through the door.
"Wow! You look fantastic!"
"Thanks. So do you, Shyoka! That dress is absolutely beautiful!"
"Well, let's go!"
They come upon Ryunosuke in the hallway.
"Aren't you going to the carnival, Ryunosuke?"
"I didn't even think about it...."
"You wanna come with us?"
"I guess so...," he shrugs, "Just let me get changed."
"Great! Looks like everybody's going....."
"Except..... the emperor...."
Chisa thinks for a minute and then takes off.
"Where are you going, Chisa?"
"I'm going to ask Boushin if he's wants to go!"
"The emperor....? But Chisa.....!"
"We can't just leave him by himself, the poor guy!" Chisa says, "Don't worry. I'll be back in a sec!"
"....oh Chisa...." Shyoka sighs.
Chisa comes to the emperor's chamber door and gently raps.
"Enter...."
"Um... Hi, Boushin...," Chisa says carefully pushing the door open.
"Oh! Hello, Chisa! What brings you here?"
"Well, the rest of us were headed to the festival in the city tonight and.... well.... we were wondering if you wanted to come, too..."
".....I don't think that would be possible......"
"Why not? Just because you're the emperor doesn't mean you can't have a little fun! You need to get out and see the city!" she says, "Here....," Chisa hands him a mask, "You can wear this. No one will recognize you!"
Boushin looks over it thoughtfully.
"....All right.... I'll go....."
"Good! Now everybody's going!"
"Please allow me to change quickly and I will join you shortly."
"Of course...."
Shyoka waits impatiently for Chisa to return.
"So....?"
"I had to kinda convince him, but he's coming!"
"Really?!"
"Who? The emperor? Is that really such a good idea?"
"He'll be wearing a mask, Ryunosuke. No one will recognize him!"
"Well, how do I look?"
They turn to see the emperor standing behind them in traditional festival clothing.
"You look great, your highness!"
"Thank you, Shyoka...."
"So is everybody ready?"
They respond with a 'yes' in unison.
"Well, let's go!"
The four of them head out to the main street of Konan where the carnival is being held. All kinds of Chinese lanterns and other decorations adorn the various booths, shops, and restaurants. They walk up and down the street, sampling food and playing the games, laughing, talking, and just having fun.
"Even at night this city is full of life.... The people... all of them... young and old.... They each have their own life..... their own thoughts... their own dreams...," Chisa thinks, "They may not be so peaceful forever... If this legend stuff is really true... then... I don't want to think about this... I've been trying to hide it, but this priestess thing has really been worrying me.... I'm here to have fun... I don't want to think about it... But... how many of these people could die... because I was too selfish..., too busy trying to forget about them instead of helping them...? This is such a big task.... Am I really up to it...? It may be... my only way home..."
"Chisa? Chisa!"
"....Hmmmmmm? Oh! Shyoka....."
"What are you doing just standing there?! Come on! The guys are waiting!"
"All right...."
***
"I never imagined my first double date would be to an ancient Chinese carnival!" Chisa giggles to herself, "*yawn* I'm beat.... I'm definitely ready to hit the sack!..... I wonder what time it is anyway....."
Chisa peeks out her window to see Boushin and Shyoka still outside talking.
"...They seem to be getting along pretty well... Oh! They're coming in... I better shut this so it doesn't seem like I was spying or anything...." She blows out her candles and lays down on her bed.
There's a knock on her door.
"Hold on!" Chisa quickly throws a robe on over her night gown and answers the door, "Emperor Boushin....."
"I just wanted to thank you Chisa.... for tonight... I appreciate the invitation... I must say I enjoyed myself..."
"Well, I'm glad! You see? You need to get out every once in a while.... And with that mask no one recognized you!"
"You would not mind if.... if I were to keep it....?"
"Go ahead! It's yours....."
"Thank you...."
"If you'll excuse me, your highness, I'm extremely tired....."
"Certainly.... Good night, Chisa....."
"G'night...."
Boushin turns to walk away.
"Uh..... Boushin.....?"
"Yes, Chisa....?"
"Is.... is that priestess job still open......?"
Chapter 5
Chisa rubs her eyes, the bright morning sun practically forcing them open. She sits up in her bed, yawns, and stretches.
She takes a moment to look over her surroundings.
"I almost forgot where I was....," she thinks out loud, "If I was home I'd probably be racing out the door right about now...."
She dresses, this time in the clothes the emperor left for her, and heads outside for a stroll around the palace. She sees Shyoka sitting outside on a step.
"Oh.... Morning, Shyoka!"
"Morning!" she replies.
"So, do you know if breakfast's ready yet?"
"Not yet, but it should be in a little while...."
"...mew..."
Suddenly, Mii-chan's head pops out of Shyoka's sleeve.
"Oh! I didn't realize you brought your cat with you."
"Yeah. He was asleep in the saddlebag on my horse! I couldn't have just left him at home by himself."
"Well hello there, Mii-chan!" Chisa says scratching the cat's head, he purrs loudly.
"Have you seen the emperor this morning?" Shyoka asks.
"No, I haven't. Why?"
"I was just curious....."
"I think he said he was going to be busy this morning. Didn't he say something about some meeting with some officials....?"
"Oh, yeah...."
"Mornin'."
"Ryunosuke.... Good morning...."
"They sent me to tell you breakfast is ready."
"It's about time!" Chisa takes off.
Shyoka still sits on the steps with her cat.
"Uh.... Shyoka.... are you coming....?" Ryunosuke asks.
"... Yeah, I'm coming...," Shyoka picks up her cat, who had been chasing a butterfly, and follows Ryunosuke back into the palace.
***
"Wake up! Wake up!"
"Huh....? Oh.... Nyan-Nyan....," Miaka groans.
"Good morning, Miaka! Good morning, Tamahome! Good morning, Yui!" the sprite-like girl says cheerfully.
"It can't be morning.....," Tamahome yawns.
"It is! Just look outside! The sun's shining bright! Wake up! Wake up!"
"It's too early...."
"You can't stay in bed all day!"
"Yes I can.... I'm warm and I'm comfortable...," Miaka says, "Tamahome, what about you?"
"I don't mind if you don't... Let's just stay like this all day....."
"Oh, Tamahome....."
"Miaka........"
The couple snuggle closer together.
"Some things never change......"
"It's amazing... They've been married almost eighteen years and they *still* act like a couple of love-sick teenagers!" Yui says.
"Makes ya kinda sick. Huh, Yui?"
"Shut up, Nuriko!" Miaka snaps.
"Just ignore them, Miaka.....," Tamahome says.
"All right, now it's REALLY time to go up! *clink*" Nuriko clinks his bracelets together and takes hold of one end of the mattress.
"NURIKO!!"
"PUT THE MATTRESS DOWN!!"
"WE'LL GET UP! REALLY WE WILL.....!"
*THUD*
Miaka and Tamahome find themselves in a heap on the floor.
"Owwwww!! That hurt, Nuriko!"
"NURIKO!!!! Grrrrrr... If you weren't a ghost and I could get my hands on you.....!" Tamahome growls.
"Don't you even remember what you're here for?"
"Aaah!" Tamahome turns to face Taiitsukun again, "Would you stop sneaking up on me like that, Taiitsukun?!?!"
"Oh! So you do know my name, Tamahome! Listen, we have a lot to do and much to discuss."
"I know....."
"You're right... Let's get started right now!... Well, after breakfast anyway......"
***
"Chichiri, Tasuki, are you leaving?" Chisa asks seeing the two men saddling their horses.
"We have some business to attend to, in the mountains, no daa."
"We'll be back in a day or two," Tasuki says as he straps his bags onto his horse.
"All right.... have a nice trip....."
"Bye!"
"...Okay... Now will you tell me what this is all about....?" Tasuki waits till they are a safe distance from the palace.
"Taiitsukun is summonsing us to Mt. Taikyaku, no daa."
"Really? Why just us and not Chisa and the others, too?"
"I don't know, no daa."
"What do you mean you don't know?!"
"All I know is that now I sense familiar chis that I haven't sensed in a long time, no daa."
"You mean......?"
Chichiri nods.
"What are we waiting for then?! Come on! Let's go!" Tasuki speeds his horse into a gallop.
***
"*yawn* What time is it, Keisuke?" Tetsuya asks rubbing his eyes.
"uh..... about three in the morning...," Keisuke squints at his wristwatch.
"Really? How about we take a break? We'll just leave the book laying open right there. It should be fine for a couple of hours."
"I have no problem with that..... *yawn*"
"How long has she been asleep?"
"I don't know.... I guess I should get something to cover her up with...."
"Keisuke.....?"
"Oh! She lives! Mornin', Rei."
"*yawn* Is it really morning?"
"About three....."
"Have you two been up all this time?"
"Yeah..."
"Well, I know all of this is really important, but you need sleep. Why don't you let me read while you two rest for a while?"
"Really? Thanks, Rei."
"You boys just get some sleep."
"I really appreciate you helping out, honey."
"It's no problem."
"G'night...."
"Good night, you two."
Rei fixes herself a cup of coffee and then returns with it to the living room. She picks up the book and begins to skim through it a little.
"'The young girl tells the emperor of her decision to accept her role as the Suzaku no Miko...,'" she reads, "What?! Where is this coming from?! I bet the pages got turned on accident. I better go back a little so I can figure this out... Ah... That should do it... A carnival, huh....?"
***
"A carnival?"
"It's an annual thing. You wanna go?"
"Do I?! Of course!"
"Great!"
The hours pass by slowly until the sun finally sets and it's time for the festival.
*knock knock*
"Chisa! Are you ready yet?" Shyoka says.
"Come on in!" Chisa calls through the door.
"Wow! You look fantastic!"
"Thanks. So do you, Shyoka! That dress is absolutely beautiful!"
"Well, let's go!"
They come upon Ryunosuke in the hallway.
"Aren't you going to the carnival, Ryunosuke?"
"I didn't even think about it...."
"You wanna come with us?"
"I guess so...," he shrugs, "Just let me get changed."
"Great! Looks like everybody's going....."
"Except..... the emperor...."
Chisa thinks for a minute and then takes off.
"Where are you going, Chisa?"
"I'm going to ask Boushin if he's wants to go!"
"The emperor....? But Chisa.....!"
"We can't just leave him by himself, the poor guy!" Chisa says, "Don't worry. I'll be back in a sec!"
"....oh Chisa...." Shyoka sighs.
Chisa comes to the emperor's chamber door and gently raps.
"Enter...."
"Um... Hi, Boushin...," Chisa says carefully pushing the door open.
"Oh! Hello, Chisa! What brings you here?"
"Well, the rest of us were headed to the festival in the city tonight and.... well.... we were wondering if you wanted to come, too..."
".....I don't think that would be possible......"
"Why not? Just because you're the emperor doesn't mean you can't have a little fun! You need to get out and see the city!" she says, "Here....," Chisa hands him a mask, "You can wear this. No one will recognize you!"
Boushin looks over it thoughtfully.
"....All right.... I'll go....."
"Good! Now everybody's going!"
"Please allow me to change quickly and I will join you shortly."
"Of course...."
Shyoka waits impatiently for Chisa to return.
"So....?"
"I had to kinda convince him, but he's coming!"
"Really?!"
"Who? The emperor? Is that really such a good idea?"
"He'll be wearing a mask, Ryunosuke. No one will recognize him!"
"Well, how do I look?"
They turn to see the emperor standing behind them in traditional festival clothing.
"You look great, your highness!"
"Thank you, Shyoka...."
"So is everybody ready?"
They respond with a 'yes' in unison.
"Well, let's go!"
The four of them head out to the main street of Konan where the carnival is being held. All kinds of Chinese lanterns and other decorations adorn the various booths, shops, and restaurants. They walk up and down the street, sampling food and playing the games, laughing, talking, and just having fun.
"Even at night this city is full of life.... The people... all of them... young and old.... They each have their own life..... their own thoughts... their own dreams...," Chisa thinks, "They may not be so peaceful forever... If this legend stuff is really true... then... I don't want to think about this... I've been trying to hide it, but this priestess thing has really been worrying me.... I'm here to have fun... I don't want to think about it... But... how many of these people could die... because I was too selfish..., too busy trying to forget about them instead of helping them...? This is such a big task.... Am I really up to it...? It may be... my only way home..."
"Chisa? Chisa!"
"....Hmmmmmm? Oh! Shyoka....."
"What are you doing just standing there?! Come on! The guys are waiting!"
"All right...."
***
"I never imagined my first double date would be to an ancient Chinese carnival!" Chisa giggles to herself, "*yawn* I'm beat.... I'm definitely ready to hit the sack!..... I wonder what time it is anyway....."
Chisa peeks out her window to see Boushin and Shyoka still outside talking.
"...They seem to be getting along pretty well... Oh! They're coming in... I better shut this so it doesn't seem like I was spying or anything...." She blows out her candles and lays down on her bed.
There's a knock on her door.
"Hold on!" Chisa quickly throws a robe on over her night gown and answers the door, "Emperor Boushin....."
"I just wanted to thank you Chisa.... for tonight... I appreciate the invitation... I must say I enjoyed myself..."
"Well, I'm glad! You see? You need to get out every once in a while.... And with that mask no one recognized you!"
"You would not mind if.... if I were to keep it....?"
"Go ahead! It's yours....."
"Thank you...."
"If you'll excuse me, your highness, I'm extremely tired....."
"Certainly.... Good night, Chisa....."
"G'night...."
Boushin turns to walk away.
"Uh..... Boushin.....?"
"Yes, Chisa....?"
"Is.... is that priestess job still open......?"