Miko no Chikyuu, Gejo no Nihon
An: Hello! Yes to all of you out there asking for romance! I will be hinting at romance, possibly in the next chapter. So look for those hints and just in case you forgot the pairings it's Wufei/Usagi & Hotaru/Hiiro, with some triangles between the relationships.
Usagi- 13 years
Hotaru- 11 years
Wufei/Hiiro/Quatre/Duo- 13
~~~~~~~Three years later~~~~~~
Hotaru was racing out of her regular calligraphy class, the teacher nearly killed her when she'd accidentally spilled some of the black ink on her table. But that's not why she was in such a rush. Not only was Wufei, Hiiro and even their kind hearted friend Quatre coming to their temple but she had the whole afternoon to herself.
Mizurei told her that it was better for her to "prepare" for the prince's company. But all she really had to do was show up to please her elders, and also make sure she was thoroughly clean as well as polite. But luckily they wouldn't get here till around dusk, so she could go see her good friend Wabigoto and Duo. Over the years they had gotten to know and understand each other better.
"Please tell Mizurei that I'll be back soon, I'm just going in town to buy some good perfume." Hotaru lied to her "best-friend" Tanoshige.
"But-" Tanoshige was cut off by Hotaru as she ran off into town. (AN: If you remember her from Chpt. 9, she's also a girl student at the temple, and I hope you remember what I said about her. Also remember Snobbu from that chpt.!)
'You brat! You're going to get what's coming to you one day!' Tanoshige thought as Snobbu came up behind her and the two began talking to each other quietly.
~~~~~~~¥~~~~~~
Hotaru was running through the dusty old town getting her shoes and hem of her kimono a little unsightly. It was a warm spring day and she felt great, she couldn't wait to catch up with Wabigoto and Duo, she hadn't seen them in over a week. But that just gave them more to talk about.
She turned the old corner approaching Wabigoto's home. She decided to slow down to not seem like some energetic desperate fool. When she stopped in front of the house she called out Wabigoto's name. Then Wabigoto emerged from their tiny home and warmly greeted Hotaru.
"We don't see much of you anymore Hotaru! What happened?" Wabigoto invited her inside.
"Well the temple, choirs and classes have really taken up a lot of my time. Sorry for not coming sooner." She sat down in the old traditional way, which she had been taught, sitting on your legs put tightly against each other. Wabigoto just sat Indian style, of course her dress covered what it had to.
"Well things have been hard around here lately." Wabigoto said telling her youngest brother to bring them the cold tea, which had been prepared almost three days ago. He set it front of them and Wabigoto poured the green liquid into two, cracked cups.
"Here." She held out the cup and Hotaru gratefully accepted it. "It doesn't taste very good, we know. But we need to sustain ourselves." Wabigoto said taking a big sip, washing it right down. "It'd be best to just throw it down your throat so you won't taste it's bitterness."
Hotaru looked down at the murky drink, which had some unsightful things inside it. She took a tiny sip, the polite thing to do, and immediately felt like gagging. It was so bitter and even salty to keep it fresh, she supposed. But she didn't want to seem crude so she swallowed the disgusting liquid and tried not to cringe.
"Told you." Wabigoto began to laugh at Hotaru and she immediately put down the cup.
"Well anyway. Where's Duo?" Hotaru said trying to change the subject.
Wabigoto chugged down another cup of green tea and looked down in her empty cup. "He's gone." She softly said, pouring herself another cup.
"What?! Where'd he go?" Hotaru got worried, how could be have possibly left? He loved them and never seemed like the type to just pick up and leave.
"Several days ago, some older men came through our town looking for some young boys to join them. When they came to our house I tried to stop Duo but he refused to listen. He said that we needed money and this was the best way to earn it. I hate him for being like that!" Wabigoto threw her cup to the wall and it smashed into pieces, and fell everywhere like falling stars.
Hotaru was speechless. Duo and her had been great friends from the beginning and he said they would always be close but now she's probably never see him again!
"Listen Wabigoto." Hotaru pulled several pages of paper from her kimono. "I promised to help Duo to learn how to read and write. These are more lessons from him and just in case you see him could you-" Wabigoto took the papers from Hotaru's shaky hands and simply nodded her head.
"Well I think I should get going now." Hotaru got up and was walking out the door when Wabigoto stopped her. She took Hotaru's arm and made sure they were out of hearing range of her youngest brother.
"What?"
"Listen Hotaru. I'm 16 already, almost 17. Most other girls my age are already married, some even have children! This boy just outside of town he's 19 and he owns a farm, I just found out that he's interested in my hand in marriage. If I married him then me and my little brother wouldn't have to worry about food or shelter anymore. My match-maker is helping me get a dowry so I'm worth the marriage." This was like lightening had struck Hotaru, right in her already frail heart.
"Are you saying that?!" Before Hotaru could even fully react to this Wabigoto down into Hotaru's eyes.
"Hotaru, you've helped me so many times. Now I have to help myself and this is the best way. You can still visit me you know, it's not that much farther out." Wabigoto felt almost despaired at what she'd like to think of as good news.
"When would the wedding be?" Is all Hotaru could think of to say.
"Sometime within the next three weeks. I'm not entirely sure."
"Well it's getting late, so I think I should begin my walk home." Without even congratulating the bride-to-be she slowly walked off, with her head hanging low. Wabigoto never seemed like she wanted to get married, or even that she had an interest in guys but now she was getting married! It didn't make sense to her. So Hotaru took her time walking home, even though dusk was approaching.
~~~~~~¥~~~~~
Hotaru took her shoes off before entering the temple and lifted the hem of her dirty kimono. When a maid walked by the despaired Hotaru she acted like she was about to have a heart attack.
"Dear child! You're a mess! Come the prince will be here any moment we must get you cleaned up!" The maid then ushered Hotaru towards the public temple bath. After a thorough cleaning the maid brought in one of Hotaru's more elegant kimonos.
This particular one was made entirely out of pure silk, it had lotus flowers sprouting up from the hem to her upper thigh, the obi was a beautiful collage of oranges, yellows and reds. On the front of the kimono there was a scene of what looked like Eden, it had a small bright sun on her left shoulder, a stream going all around her and scattered around the dress were various plants and flowers. The most noticeable feature, however, was the large waterfall flowing down her back, it was so enchanting, and the background of oranges, yellows and reds only emphasized it's beauty.
Put this on and meet me in the entrance hall, the maid commanded putting a small purple flower in Hotaru's hair, pushing several strands back.
~~~~~~¥~~~~~
Hotaru emerged into the hallway, where the maid was waiting.
"They're getting out of the carriage now. Come here!" She eagerly ordered me.
When I looked out the door I saw Wufei getting out, he had on a traditional Chinese outfit, most likely a gift from the Chinese royal family since it looked very expensive because it was made entirely out of silk, never mind the intricate design.
Next Quatre exited. What he wore wasn't as expensive as Wufei's but it was still made out of pure silk with a simple design on the front.
Then last Hiiro came out. He had on a simple warrior outfit- a white baggy shirt falling just below his hips, baggy navy pants and lastly shoes made out of a brown cloth stitched together- but he still looked handsome. And despite the outfits Wufei and Quatre were wearing he shone brighter than them especially with his captivating Prussian blue eyes.
The three young boys with Wufei's father Treize and his older half-brother Milliardo starting walking towards them. That's when the maid grabbed Hotaru's forearm and pulled her against the wall and bowed down to them and since Hotaru just stood up she pulled Hotaru down into a bow.
As Trieze and Milliardo passed by without even looking down, Wufei just gave a quick glance while Quatre waved his hand and Hiiro stopped in front of Hotaru completely giving her his hand.
"I'm to bring you to the tearoom." Is all he said as Hotaru looked down the hall at the disappearing figure heading towards the room where Mizurei taught Hotaru all her magic, her second favorite place to go. The tearoom, however, was a totally different story.
~~~~~¥~~~~~
"The prince will be here shortly." Is all that Hiiro said before leaving the room, standing outside the door like a guard. Hotaru poked her head out the door to talk with him, briefly.
"Come in here and sit. Why are you acting so rigid?" Hotaru then tried taking his hand to pull him in but he backed away from her.
"I was told my the Emperor to wait out here for Wufei. Besides I'm in training to become a royal guard I have to take it seriously and not be distracted." He didn't even look at her during his explanation. "Besides you should learn better to follow rules and manners." Hotaru didn't even want to hear the rest so she walked back into the room shutting the sliding door behind her.
~~~~~¥~~~~~
"Dear Mizurei-sama. How are you?" The Emperor politely asked his fortune-teller. They were in a lovely green garden filled with lots of red and purple flowers. They were also surrounded by tall green giants that blocked them from the rest of the world. The ground was covered in moss, and there was a rock cylinder in the center of everything, but when you got closer you saw it was filled with water.
"So what news do you have?" The Emperor enthusiastically asked trying to sneak a peak inside the water, but Mizurei shooed him away.
"Please let them leave. They mustn't hear this, it is confidential." Mizurei seemed to command him pointing to the three boys.
"Right." He turned to Quatre first. "Quatre-chan you can go and explore the temple if you like but don't leave the premises." Quatre bowed to him and walked out of the elegant garden.
"Now Wufei you get right to Hotaru and spend some time with her, Milliardo please show your brother where."
"But father I planned on going out to that beach." Milliardo protested, he hated having to do everything for his little half-brother.
"You can but you must bring Wufei first, hear me!" He raised his voice to him at the end of his sentence.
"Yes Sir." He then tightly grabbed onto Wufei's collar and pulled him along, even though Wufei greatly struggled.
Soon the two belligerent brothers were out of site.
"Now Chang-sama. I must tell you of your future and that of your country. Despite what you may think it's not one of splendor and happiness, but of turmoil and war." Mizurei darkly began her description.
"You will not die of old age Sir. But someone close to you shall make sure you don't make it to your 43rd birthday. After your death chaos erupts among your court and country, it will go downhill for the next 3 to 5 years. I'm sorry Sir but as one last bit of advise I suggest you care for your heir, and teach him everything you know, and build up the nation with enough supplies and money to outlast the war." She looked down into her small pool of knowledge and magic.
"So it hasn't changed since you last prophesized, except for the fact of my death. Mizurei-sama please tell me that girl of yours will save our country just as you predicted all that time ago. Please tell me she will help my sons and my people!" The Emperor seemed to beg of her, wanting to think of better things before he died and go peacefully.
"I'm sure of it! She will save our people, I know she was the chosen one!" Mizurei would have bet her life on it if she could.
"I hope your right. I especially hope that you chose the right girl." He always seemed to doubt her words, even though she was his most trusted companion.
"Don't fret about it dear Emperor." Mizurei took Treize's arm and was walking him out of the garden. "I want you to be peaceful, and you don't want to worry yourself to death. Just please take care of yourself Sir." She then let his arm go and told him his room was the last door on the right.
"Thank you Mizurei-sama. I always knew I could trust you." He then kissed her forehead, which drew Mizurei slightly aback. Her cheeks turned pink but she hid it by bowing down to him as he walked off.
~~~~~¥~~~~~
Wufei's brother had finally let his collar go as he stopped in front of the tea-room.
"Here's the room baby." Milliardo teased Wufei who glared at him intensely.
"I'm out of here good-bye." Milliardo then took off running down the hall in a total rush.
"What's his damn problem?" Wufei asked Hiiro who didn't really respond. He rigidly turned around opening the door only to find that Hotaru was no longer in there, and the window open.
"That damn woman! Doesn't she know how to wait!" Wufei angrily growled as Hiiro narrowed his eyes, in a way of knowledge.
~~~~~¥~~~~~
Hotaru was walking along the beach, hands held behind her head, thinking. 'I wonder where Duo is now. I bet if he were here he wouldn't let Wabigoto get married because she's so soft to all his pleads. Especially when he gives her that puppy-dog face of his.' Hotaru laughed at the thought of Duo's less-than-innocent face he gave her all the time.
"Care to share in your revelry?" A voice asked her from behind, which startled her that she almost screamed out loud. When she turned her head she saw Quatre standing there smiling at her as usual.
"Aye! Quatre you scared me!" She let go of her heart and greeted Quatre politely.
"So what were you thinking?" He asked her as the two began their walk heading to nowhere in particular.
"Just of some friends of mine. They live not far from here."
"Well they must be humorous to make you laugh." Hotaru just sighed and kicked a seashell below her feet. Quatre recognized this and decided to change the subject.
"So anyway how has life at the temple been?" When Hotaru looked up and began explaining her life she saw a young woman and little boy sitting on the beach, just taking in sun she supposed. The funny thing was is that Hotaru recognized her and started to pick up the pace, never looking away from the two.
"What is it?" Quatre said looking in the same direction. Hotaru never answered him though and just walked closer towards them. She finally stopped in about ten feet away from them when the young woman looked up and recognized Hotaru as well.
"Wabigoto! What are you doing here?" Hotaru asked falling down next to her, getting her kimono dirty.
"Well I just came here to think. You know I always do that." Wabigoto then looked up at Quatre who just stood in the background out of place.
"I'm sorry. This is Winner, Quatre." She pulled him down next to her. "Quatre this is Togarigoe, Wabigoto." They shook hands and it went into an awkward silence.
"Listen Wabigoto I know I was being rude when I walked off and I'm sorry for that. I should have been happy for your marriage, it's great. I want to give you something for your wedding. But-" Hotaru stopped herself before she could say she had nothing because she did remember one thing, that she always wore.
"Tale this." Hotaru pulled a seashell necklace off her neck, it's string was partially ripped and the seashell a little course. "I take it with me everywhere I go. I've had it for the longest time, it means the world to me so it seems fitting enough for you to have it." Hotaru opened Wabigoto's hand and out the necklace in it.
"Then I'll forever cherish it." Wabigoto gave Hotaru a hug and Quatre stood back smiling until a scream pierced their ears.
"Hotaru-chan!" A loud male voice called out and Hotaru recognized it as Wufei's.
"That loud fool. Always screaming like we're in a war." Hotaru giggled at Quatre's insult of the prince but when she turned her head to say good-bye to Wabigoto she was gone, all that was left were footprints.
"There you are woman! We've been searching everywhere for you! Why'd you leave?!" Wufei's face was turning red with anger and Hotaru didn't feel like angering him any further since she knew she'd be beaten if she did.
"Calm down Wufei, I wanted a partner to go to the beach with me so I had her come with me. So don't blame her." He then helped Hotaru to her feet and Hiiro just stood behind everyone with the same old rigid face.
"Anyway Wufei it's getting dark so we should be heading back, now lets go." Quatre walked past Wufei who sped up to catch up to him.
They began their own little conversation/argument about gods knows what, while Hiiro and Hotaru lagged behind, having their own little private conversation.
AN: Hehehe. Get a little relationship thing in there. As for Wabigoto's marriage you'll see what kind of man he is. This chapter was kind of setting the stage for the civil war and other things. Also guess where Usagi ends up next chapter! ^.^ If you want to know review! Bye-bye for now.