Disclaimer: I don't own any Sailor moon and Fushigii Yuugi characters mentioned in this story. They all belong to their respective owners.
Note: Thanks to all those who reviewed, I really appreciated it. The first part with Serena is happening simultaneously with the events that are happening when Yui arrived in Konan.
Chapter 4
"Is this the palace?" Serena asked looking at the large gate in front of her. Nakago nodded barely glancing at her. He raised his hand and the doors opened before them. They made their way through the throne room to the emperor. Serena shifted her gaze nervously.
When they arrived before the emperor, Nakago bowed his head respectfully, while Serena stared at her feet fidgeting. "Ah. Nakago, you always know how to pick out the most beautiful women." The emperor of Kutou praised eyeing Serena with appreciatively.
"Your Majesty, she is not an ordinary woman, she is to be the maiden of Seiryuu. Observe her strange clothing." Nakago replied hiding his disgust. "And as the maiden she must be pure at all times." Nakago reminded him. The emperor nodded thoughtful.
"My spies say that there are already 2 maidens found in Konan." The emperor said informing him. "There was another girl too your Highness, her sister, but she escaped." Nakago reported. "Failure is extremely unlike you Nakago but I guess she'll have to do." The emperor drawled. "Come here dear." The emperor motioned for Serena to come closer.
Serena stood her ground defiant. She finally looked up to the emperor and cannot hide her loathe for him as he continued to look at her with desire. Nakago nudged her to come forward so she was forced to oblige. The emperor touched the side of her face examining her astonishing beauty. After he finished inspecting her he smiled with lust. "Such a pity that you are the maiden, you would have made a fine addition to my harem." He murmured. Nakago clenched his fist when he heard the remark while Serena growled under her breath in disgust.
Before Serena could say anything, she felt another dizzying spell, meaning that something has gone wrong again. She closed her eyes pained for a moment and whispered, "Setsuna." Nakago looked at her with slight concern. "I presume that the lady must be tired. Please excuse us, while I show her to her room." Nakago spoke bowing again. The emperor waved a dismissive hand at them as one of his concubines started to kiss him while another one sat on his lap. Nakago guided Serena out of the throne room.
Nakago opened a door. "This will be your room for now." He said leading her to her bed. He walked back to the door and paused, "If you need anything just tell me. I've sent someone to guard your door while you're asleep." Nakago informed her.
Serena didn't answer him and closed her eyes again lying in bed, breathing heavily. Nakago frowned and went over to her, placing his hand on her forehead. Serena's eyes flew open. "You're temperature is high, you'd better rest." Nakago spoke in monotone. "Why are you being so nice to me?" Serena whispered still panting for breath and looking up to him. Nakago halted for a few seconds before leaning down. "Because I need something that only you can give." He whispered back softly at her ear. Serena shivered unconsciously and turned away, staring at the window across the room. Nakago left the room quietly calling one of the soldiers to stand guard.
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Hotaru and Ami went back to their rooms upset. "What do we do now Taru? According to my computer she is not on this dimension anymore." Amy spoke softly.
Hotaru closed her eyes thinking. "We have no other choice." Hotaru murmured. Amy nodded grimly. They both stood up and joined hands. Closing their eyes in concentration and summoning their power, they were both transported in the time gates.
Upon arriving, "Setsuna?" Hotaru called out in the midst. They stopped aghast as they saw the wounded senshi of time and the broken time gates.
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Yui and Tamahome had finally arrived in the palace of Konan during nightfall. Both he and Yui entered the throne room, all conversations stopped. Yui looked searchingly at the faces amongst the strangers until she finally noticed a familiar face. "Miaka…" Yui whispered her eyes filling with joy.
"Tamahome!" Miaka exclaimed when she first saw the person who entered the room. All words died down as she saw the person next to him. "Yui," she murmured. For a moment there was an expression on her face that you can't identify. Yui ran hugging to her friend oblivious of her best friend's peculiar reaction. Yui's eyes were soaked with tears. And as though as an afterthought Miaka hugged her as well and broke into a smile.
"Yui! I've been looking all over for you! You look terrible." Miaka said concerned. "I'm okay now." Yui said wiping her tears away. "Everybody, this is my friend Yui." Miaka proclaimed to the rest in the room. "Yui, I would like you to meet Nuriko, Chichiri and Hotohori, the emperor." Miaka said cheerfully. Yui managed a smile and bowed before the emperor utterly exhausted.
"Come, I'll take you to my room and you could use a nice warm bath." Miaka said leading her out. "Goodnight, everybody!" Miaka called out.
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Yui sighed grateful of being clean again. "Why are we here in this strange world?" Yui wondered as she closed her eyes resting in the tub. Meanwhile at their room, Miaka was pacing, she had went back to the throne room and managed to hear the emperor and his advisors talk. Now that there are 2 maidens from another world, they aren't sure who is their priestess.
"Why is Yui here? Just when I'll finally achieve my dreams as being someone important, she'll take everything from me again, just like the last time." Miaka thought a lone tear falling down from her eye. "I won't allow her to destroy my dreams! I got here first!" Miaka thought fiercely. "Wait…what's happening to me? Yui's my best friend! I should be glad that she's here." Miaka thought confused shaking her head.
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Meanwhile, Serena woke up after a couple of hours of sleep. She walked outside and was stopped by the soldier that was guarding her. "My Lady, you should rest." The soldier said remembering the general's orders. "I'm fine now, and I only wish to see Nakago about something." Serena said in a clear voice.
"Then maybe I should come with you." The soldier said straightening up. Serena shook her head. "No, I don't want to be a bother, you should rest, just tell me where I can find him." Serena ordered. "I'll take you there." He said nodding.
"This is Lord Nakago's room." The soldier said indicating to the door. "Who is he talking to?" Serena asked curious as she heard another voice. "Um…probably Lady Soi." The soldier said shifting nervously. "Perhaps it is unwise to disturb the general at this hour milady." The solider advised. Serena paid no heed. "Please leave me." She ordered to the guard and he was forced to obey.
~Inside Nakago's room~
"Nakago tell me, did we found our priestess already? Soi asked removing his armor. "Yes, we did." Nakago replied distracted. "Then have you finished questioning her?" Soi asked curious. "No, I haven't." Nakago answered facing her. "You haven't? Then how do you know that she is our maiden?" Soi wondered.
"There's no need for the questions Soi, All the requirement for being the priestess is that she came from another world." Nakago explained patiently. "Then why did you tell her that there would be an interrogation? Soi asked him. "Only for her to agree without trouble, you should have seen her aura flare." Nakago responded with mild respect. "The truth is she has no choice." He said chuckling a bit.
~Outside of Nakago's room, Serena gasped outraged. ~
Author's note: Please review! And vote for the pairings, Last I checked, the Serena/Hotohori and Yui/Tamahome pairing is wining. So please vote, this is the last chance for voting for the partners of Serena and Yui since I can't proceed to the next chapter if I don't know who will be paired up with Serena. Your choice of pairing will decide if Serena will agree to become the priestess of Seiryuu or not. Thanks!