Chapter 8 Martha stood in front of the Emperor of Kutou, getting dizzy in his Royal Ugliness. Her heart was pounding furouciously, knowing the truth of what he had done to her poor little Nakie-poo. It was a serious matter, and Martha couldn't think lightly about it now, as she always thought lightly about most things almost all the time. This man that sat high on the throne above her right now had butt-raped her precious general when he was only thirteen. She really wanted to hug her little Nakago right now, but couldn't dare to move from the gross expression the Emperor's eyes had fixed upon her. "So." he said, after a long explanation from Nakago with some useless help from Tomo, "this is the Priestess of Seiyru? Fine little specimen she is. I will enjoy having her here. Prepare a room for her. within my own." Martha gulped. The raping Emperor was gonna get her now! Fortunately, Nakago gave a small cought at that moment, and said, "Uh. do remember your Highness that the Priestess must be a virgin." The Emperor scowled. "But of course. she'll be better off in her own room then. Lead her to it, and don't take too long. I need to. talk with her." Martha was lead away from Nakago, with Kailein joining her side. They were led to Martha's room (for it was quite evident that Kailein would be sharing a room with Tomo whatever the reason was). Martha got herself washed and dressed into a supple little nightgown. Kailein sat on the edge of the bed with her as they waited the terrible doom of the Emperor's little talk. "Oh," Martha wailed, "I should have known that this would happen to me as the Priestess of Seiyru! Even though it didn't happen to Yui, of course it would happen to poor little me!" "There, there," Kailein said, patting Martha on the back. "I'm here with you, aren't I? Besides. you got Nakago, and that's your soul reason for being the Priestess, isn't it? To be with him and make yourselves happy?" "But does he even feel the same way?" Martha cried. "Well, he did save you from the Emperor's dirty hands just now, didn't he?" A smile widened on Martha's face. "You're right!" she cried. "He does care for me!" "He was born to protect you, any way. Along with Tomo. though I don't think he's going to be as effective any more." Martha looked up at her friend. "What do you mean by that?" "Well." Kailein said, "you must understand that he isn't gay any more, so he's not going to simply listen to Nakago out of love and he also is going to be quite attached to someone else." Martha giggled. "You two are going to be one funny couple! I can't wait to see you guys when you get married and have kids!" "We're hoping for at least eight," Kailein said. Martha smiled, then she realized something. "Kailein." "Yes?" "How'd you know about Tomo when you've only seen half of Fushigi Yuugi?" Kailein's mouth gave a little twitch as her face became silent. A noise came from the hallway, and she jumped to her feet, crying, "Oh, I think the Emperor's coming, gotta go!" And she jumped out the window, leaving Martha alone with the dread of the Emperor. * shivers running down author's spine * The door opened and the Emperor strode in. He joined Martha on the bed side, and smiled a sickening smile at her. "Well. Priestess of Seiyru. how much do you know of your role?" Martha gulped, and managed to stammer out, "I- I know that I- I must g-gather all the st-stars of Seiyru to g-get my celestial w-warriors. N- Nakago and Tomo are both warriors, and I heard t-that all the others h-have been gathered for me a-already so I- I just need to s-summon Seiyru and I'm h-home free, right?" "Ah, the summoning," the Emperor mused. "You know that you get three wishes, eh? Well, I need two of those wishes for my self, if you don't mind." "T-two?" Martha stammered. "B- but what do you need t-two for?" "Well, I need the first one to win over the land of Konan that lies to the South. My other wish. I need a new Empress and I'd like YOU to be her." Martha's heart fell in her chest. Be the Empress of the dude who butt-raped her man while he was a little kid? She frowned, the stammering replaced with anger. "You can't force someone to feel a certain way," she quoted. "I know," the Emperor said. "I realize you like my general a lot - I do, too * shivers once more * - so I need to force you with a wish to become my Empress. Is that clear?" Martha watched in stunned silence as he left the room. She fell back on her bed, heaving a big sigh. What a stupid Emperor! She thought. Why'd he tell me that awful wish?! Well, now I know I'm NOT going to give him that wish! Nope, I'm saving that wish for Kailein and Tomo, then, I'm gonna use my third wish to wish for more wishes! Then, I'll be able to live here with my Nakago forever! I'm sure I can simply use Kailein's methods of keeping in touch with Tomo to keep Nakago by my side. Just then, there was a knock on the door. Martha buried herself in her bedsheets, and growled at the door, "Come in." Her eyes brightened up as Nakago strode in. He sat on the edge of the bed, as Martha crawled out from under the sheets and into his lap. "Martha-sama," Nakago said, his voice beautifully deep. "Yes, my dear Nakago?" "I realize that you get three wishes from Seiyru, right?" "Yes, my dear Nakago!" "Do you think. you could let me have one of those wishes? After all, I've saved quite a few times already, and I don't want you to feel in debt to me." "Oh, you're so sweet!" Martha cried. "Yes, I'll give you any wish you want!" Nakago leaned over and whispered his secret wish into her ear. Martha barely could pay attention to what he was saying, all she could do was swoon at his lovely voice tickling her ear. He pulled away then, and said in a low voice, "You promise? As I promise to protect you from the Foe?" "But of course, my dear Nakago!" Martha sighed, not bothering to ask what Foe he could be talking about. All she could think of was his smile. "Good," he said, then stood up. He walked out of the room, but before leaving, he looked over his shoulder, and said with hesitation, "Uh. goodnight." And he was gone. Martha flopped back down on her bed, swooning in delight. Outside her window, a voice cackled, and soon, Kailein and Tomo were sitting on the window sill, laughing the way they do. "He could be asking to take over the world for all we know," Tomo said. "She probably doesn't even know what he asked for," Kailein said. "She probably doesn't even realize that we're here," Tomo said. In fact, she didn't. her mind was too busy on Nakago, and her heart was jumping like crazy as she fell asleep with the light sound of cackling just outside her window. KA KA KA KA KA!!