Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi belongs to Yu Watase and not me. I'm only doing this for fun so please don't sue me.

Chapter 2

Hotohori was walking pass the garden when he noticed Chichiri sitting on one of the boulders. He changed directions and made his way toward his fellow seishi.

"Chichiri," called out the emperor. "What are you doing her by yourself?"

"Oh, hello your highness," the monk replied cheerfully as he stood up from the boulder. "I was just looking at the stars, no da. It's very relaxing, no da."

"I heard Miaka and the others went to the Star Festival. Why did you not go with them?"

"Oh, I decided to stay and meditate for the long journey ahead of us, no da."

Hotohori smiled and looked at the palace. "I understand. Chiriko is also preparing himself by reading up on all he could possibly can. He's in the library right now." Hotohori turned back to look at Chichiri as the other seishi chuckled. "I was able to convice Mitsukake to go. Unfortunately Chiriko is adamant in staying with his scrolls. You should go and enjoy your last night in Konan- have fun. If you hurry, you might be able to catch up with Mitsukake."

"Alright, your highness," Chichiri said with a smile. "I suppose there's plenty of time to be serious once we reach Hokkan, no da."

******

Meiling stepped out from behind a tree where she had materialized. She promised Taiitsukun not to use her powers in front of anybody, but there was no harm in teleporting herself right at the Konan border. 'Besides,' she thought. 'I made sure no one would see me. And I certainly wasn't gonna walk all the way from Mt Taikuoku to Konan.'

As she entered the capital of Konan, she could not help, but be amazed at what she saw and stood where she was in awe Everywhere she turned was something new and everything pulsed with life. 'It looks like there's a celebration or something,' Meiling told herself. She was about to continue on when she heard a commotion from her left.

"Stop making faces like that! You look like a starving derelict!"

Meiling turned to see a young man with red hair wrestling with a purple haired woman. Another girl was with them and she stood up to say something. Whatever it was made the other two cheer in response. She wasn't interested much in what the brunette said. Meiling's attention was focused on the red-head. She couldn't seem to stop staring at him and heart skipped at beat when she saw him grin. She would have continued to look at him if someone hadn't bumped her from behind.

"Watch it lady!" said the elderly man who bumped into her.

"Oh, I'm sorry," she told him. When she turned back to look at where the red-head was, she discovered that they had moved on. Meiling looked to her left and then her right to see where they went. She caught a flash of red to her right and headed in that direction, but was too late. 'Oh no,' she thought. 'I lost him.' When Meiling couldn't find any sign of him, she gave a sigh and continued on with her exploration.

Meiling smiled when she realized that she was successfully blending in with the crowd. Taiitsukun was right to suggest that she change into a simple blue dress and a purple robe. Her feet were comfortably tucked in a pair of soft leather boots and her long dark green hair, which were braided on both sides of her head, fell softly over her shoulder. She was just congratulating herself when she sensed someone behind her. Before she could react, one hand was clamped over her mouth and another unceremoniously dragged her into a dark alley. Meiling's captor threw her to a wall and was soon joined by the other thugs. When the demi-goddess realized what was going on, she tried to run away, but one of the men side-stepped to block her path.

"Hey Reikou," the man said, addressing the guy who dragged Meiling into the alley. "You got us a pretty one. Must be new in town too. I'd remember a face like hers if she wasn't. Okay girlie, hand over your valuables now and then we'll see about having some fun afterwards."

The other men laughed maliciously and started closing in on her. Meiling backed away and shouted, "Just hold it right there!" She didn't say it out of fear, but as a warning to the thugs.

The men hesitated a second when they saw the fierce look in the girl's eyes and the defensive stance of her body. Reikou laughed and said, "Feisty, aren't you? You think you can handle all five of us? Give it up lady. You have no idea who you're dealing with."

"No, all of you are the ones who have no idea who you're dealing with," she replied in a quiet tone.

Reikou's eyes narrowed. "Fine, have it your way. Guys get her valuables, then give her a welcome to Konan she'll never forget."