Chapter 23

Coming down the streets of Konan, the Palace rose into view. Kristin was overly happy, knowing that soon, she would be seeing Hotohori again. How long it had been since she last saw him! The gang made their way to the Palace gate, where the guards questioned Caitlin about the missing Official and the strange people with her.

"But they're the celestial warriors of the Priestess," Caitlin sighed. The guards finally let them go, after getting a series of growls from Tasuki.

They were lead to the Courtyard, where Hotohori ran up to greet them, a thick scarf at his neck, and his hair pushed up under his music box hat. He still hadn't gotten back his shampoo.

In Kutou, Nakago laughed about this.

"Kristin-sama!" Hotohori cried, falling to his knees and hugging the poor, pathetic creature that was Kristin. "You're still a wolf! I swear by the god of Suzaku that the Lone Wolf Warrior will pay for this, indeed!" Then, he looked up, and noticed the smiling face of Tasuki.

"So we meet again," Tasuki said, "Your Highness."

"You are one of the celestial warriors, I'm guessing," Hotohori said. "The way you fought truly showed that off. And these two. are they?"

"Warriors as well," Caitlin said. "Your Highness, please meet Mitsukake, of the healing power, and A--Chiriko of the flute power."

"Flute power?" Hotohori asked. "That's a strange one. Let me hear you play."

Kristin put her paws to her ears, and everyone braced themselves as Chiboshi began to play Phil's tube theme on his flute. Hotohori had a look on his face of pure horror when the boy stopped playing.

"Why do you play THAT song?!" Hotohori cried. "That's the song of Phil, the Tuba Master!"

Chiboshi cast a downward look, with a heavy sigh. "I was too close to Kutou," he lied. "It. it's effected my music! I can't play the right notes anymore! All I can play is THAT song! That terrible song!"

"Yes, I heard of the tuba invasion in Kutou," said a high voice from the palace doors. Chichiri came into view, and Mitsukake asked, "Is he a celestial warrior as well?"

"Yes," Hotohori said. Then, he smiled, standing to his feet. "In fact, now all of the warriors have been gathered. The summoning of Suzaku shall take place! Please, why don't we venture on to the banquet hall? This truly is something to celebrate about. And Chichiri. can you use your magic to change Kristin back to her normal form? I don't think we can summon the beast god while she is at this state."

"Wait a second!" came the whining voice of Katie. "Who said that Kristin is the Priestess? Isn't it up to the Celestial Warriors? Huh?"

Hotohori cleared his throat. "I understand. we have to decide, once and for all, if it Taiiutskun's Priestess we choose, Katie, or Naiidoska's Priestess, Kristin. I for one, believe that Kristin is the rightful Priestess as she was the one who summoned me to her world when she was in danger of the Lone Wolf Warrior."

"I agree," Nuriko said. "Kristin behaves just the way a Priestess does, showing the true qualities of one. I shall be a follower of Naiidoska as well."

"Same here," Tasuki said. "I don't want no baka for a Priestess. besides, she does cool as a wolf, and I like wolves. So, yeah. Kristin for Priestess is my vote! ( and don't forget to vote for me as the state executioner!! * that one's for you, Kristin and Caitlin! * )"

"I have to agree with the three of you," Mitsukake said. "Kristin shows the proper qualities of the Priestess, and knows how to handle certain situations. even as a wolf."

"Yeah, same here," Chiboshi said. "I don't like the weird looks that Katie's been giving me, so I'm going with Kristin, who's believed in me even throughout my terrible flute power! Kristin for Priestess. besides, didn't you say that if you don't become Priestess then your friend in Kutou won't become Priestess and bad things may come since she's the Author of the story?"

Kristin nodded her head. She wanted to cry. Everyone was on her side.

Tamahome cleared his throat. Kristin's heart sank. Oh, yeah. Tamahome.

"I've always believed in Katie being the Priestess," he said. "Since she was the one Taiiutskun picked, the good side of it all. Naiidoska is the negative of the Yin Yang, so why go with him?"

Everyone was looking a bit sad, except for Tasuki who looked like he was going to kill Tamahome at the moment. Katie's eyes were bright and wide. But then, Tamahome continued on.

"However, you all know what happened back there at the bandit's place. the, uh, costume bit. yeah. for all of you that were there," and heads nodded, "you must understand why I've given up, and decided Kristin should be the Priestess."

Katie's face fell. She was going to cry.

Kristin's heart leapt. She thanked Naiidoska for what had happened in the bandit's place (.what DID happen there? I still don't know and I'm the Author, gosh darn it!) and happily barked at Tamahome, wagging her tail.

Chichiri sighed. "Well. Taiiutskun's gonna kill me for this. but as the majority now stands for Kristin. I'm just gonna have to go with the flow."

"But won't you support me?" Katie cried.

Chichiri said nothing but gave an embarassed look at her from behind the mask. Not really, was what he wanted to say, but didn't.

Katie burst in to tears. "I loved you Tamahome! I loved you! Curse that Naiidoska!" and she fled from the palace in tears.

Kristin found herself both happy and a bit guilty. Gee, she didn't want to make Katie cry. but at least she was out of their way now.

The next few days, the palace was in an uproar as the ceremony was getting ready. The shrine was scrubbed clean, cheez its were handed out for all to feed, and Kristin had to be properly cleansed. once she turned back into human form, that is. Chichiri was trying his hardest to come up with a spell, staying locked up in his room all day.

It was then that the day of the ceremony came, and Chichiri ran out of his room, his mask off, showing a quite, stern, serious face. He ran to the great room, where Hotohori sat on his Throne, with Kristin at his side.

"Bad news, Kristin-sama," Chichiri said. "As I've been trying to come up with a spell to return you to normal, I was visited by Taiiutskun.and. and."

Kristin looked teary-eyed at Chichiri. She gave a whine, indicating that he must go on. Hotohori was looking almost ill at this mention of bad news.

"She took away my staff!" Chichiri said. "She's sealed my magic away, furious that I've abandoned her side!"

"Then why don't you contact Naiidoska instead?" Hotohori asked, his voice near trembling.

Chichiri gave a deep sigh. "I've been trying, no da. But. I can't seem to get in touch with him! Something's terribly wrong! If we don't get Kristin back to normal, then the ceremony won't be able to take place, no da!"

Hotohori indeed looked ill at ease. He stood up from his Throne, and walked away. Chichiri was about to follow him, but Hotohori put up his hand, saying, "No. just leave me alone for awhile."

Kristin followed Hotohori as he made his way somberly down the empty halls of the palace. He finally came to his room, where he sat down upon his bed, upset, and worried. He covered his face and began to cry softly. a manly cry, of course.

Kristin whined, and rubbed her head against his side, joining him on the bed. After awhile, Hotohori looked up at the wolf figure sitting besides him, and said in a soft, mournful voice, "I'm so sorry, my dear Kristin. If only there was something I could do. I was hoping, eagerly hoping for your becoming the Priestess. You're the best thing that's happened to me. Please, don't cry. I promise I won't let the Lone Wolf Warrior get to you. Even if you can never be the Priestess. I'll be at your side, my love." And then, he pulled her close, embracing her deeply, and smelling her hair. She smelled just as she did when she was human.

Kristin felt the tears forming in her wolfy eyes. She made a soft, whine on his shoulder. Hotohori pulled back, lifting Kristin's head in his hands. "You're still so beautiful," he said, "even when you're a wolf."

And then, he leaned over and, nuzzling his nose against her own, gave her a sweet kiss on the cheek. The two sat close to eachother, eyes closed, feeling an unnatural heat rise within them. Kristin felt herself fall asleep in his arms, and Hotohori fell into sleep as well.

When the two awoke, the entire Suzaku Seven were gathered around the bed in awe. Hotohori blinked, then asked, "Wha.What happened?"

Chichiri gave a smile. "I don't know how you did it, Sire, but you've managed to turn Kristin back, no da!"

Kristin sat up, and looked over herself. Chichiri was right! The fur and paws were gone, and she was human again. Hotohori got to his knees, and stared at Kristin, sitting elegantly on the bed. She studied herself; her arms were back, her legs were back, her soft skin. and then she realized she was naked, and everyone was staring at her.

She gave a scream and dived under the covers.

Above her, she heard a very angry Hotohori. "How dare you linger on and stare at the Priestess while she is unclothed?"

"How did she become unclothed?" Caitlin asked.

"Well she obviously had no clothes on when she was a wolf, did she?" Tasuki said.

There was a loud, "OUT!" from Hotohori, and then, the room became silent as the door shut. Then, Hotohori was on the bed, poking gently at Kristin.

"It's alright, my love. "They've left. I'm sorry I didn't realize that you were going to be so exposed."

"That's okay," Kristin mumbled, sitting up with the sheets carefully wrapped around her. Her face was scarlet red, and she found herself missing her own voice as she spoke. "At least I'm back to normal."

"But how?" Hotohori asked. "Could it have been."

".the kiss?" Kristin suggested. "Maybe. Or perhaps Naiidoska decided to finally intervene."

Hotohori flung himself on Kristin, embracing her tightly. "My dear, you're back! And I thought we'd lost you for good!"

Kristin breathed in deep. His hair smelled so nice, and his robes were so warm, she felt like falling asleep in his arms again. And then, their was a knock on the door, followed by Chichiri's voice.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, Your Highness, but shouldn't we be cleansing the Priestess for the ceremony?"

Tasuki's voice followed. "Yeah. and don't forget the Priestess is supposed to be a VIRGIN!"

There was a loud bang, followed by Chichiri again. "Thank you Nuriko."

"You're welcome," came Nuriko's voice. "Kristin-sama! I've got your ceremonial dress waiting for you!"

Kristin sighed. "I guess I should go," she said, not wanting to leave the warmth of Hotohori's embrace.

"Good luck, then," Hotohori said, and then, he pulled her close, and gave her a long, passionate kiss on her lips, which Kristin returned, turning her fingers in his hair, while he did the same with her. As he slowly pulled away, Kristin found herself blushing.

Nuriko pounded on the door. "Come on, Kristin-sama! The ceremony, don't forget the ceremony!"

Kristin took Hotohori's sheets, and made her way out of the room. She was blushing all the way, knowing that nothing could spoil her mood now. Not even Amiboshi.