Author's notes...

Hurrah, I got lots of reviews again! You guys are the greatest! *tosses cookies to reviewers*

Deity- Actually I'm still in the process of thinking of a creative way for Chichiri to enter the story -_- Something will hit me soon.

WeaselGirl- Like I've said over and over again, I really am trying to make the chapters longer. I'm glad you liked it ^_^

Fiery-Ice- I would like to thank you for rambling because I love those kind of reviews! And no, I have not forgotten you! I eagerly await the next chapter ^_^. Yeah, I figured the plot had been done before but I had never seen another story like this on ff.net so.... heh heh heh. I'm going to try to make the story really unpredictable! Thanks for having faith in me ^_^ And if I need help I will ask ^_^ Thanks.

chinoz-Actually I had debated for a long time whether to keep Kourin alive of not. You'll have to read to find out what I did though!

Mika- I'm going to try to get the romance between Miaka and Tamahome to start soon but I don't want to rush into it too fast because that would seem... odd. So be patient and you will be rewarded with sappy love scenes!!!

micchan- You will find out what happens! Just give me some time on updates because I've devised a system where I write a chapter of my original story and then a chapter of this.

Songwind- Eh? You reviewed? Maybe ff.net spazzed out or something. Yes Miaka is doing it in her typical "I'm an idiot" fashion (even I'll admit that she's an idiot and I'm her look/act alike according to my friends. Har har.) About the Priestess of Seiryuu and Miaka slipping up and telling them she knows... I've got plans... *grins evily*

Sapphire-Starlight- Yeah, I've got plans to the whole Yui/Nakago thing (not a pairing! Ick! I hate Nakago/Yui because Yui deserves someone better! Like Suboshi :D :D :D)I had a long debate about keeping Kourin alive of not but I finally came to a decision... *cackles*

miaka-chan- *waves* Hi! Tamahome might have gotten a bit out of personality but I'm glad I got Miaka dead on! I kind of think like her so that's pretty easy for me ^_^ You're obsessed? Aren't we all though?

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Different Circumstances

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That's Nuriko's voice! That means... he's still cross dressing. Miaka sweatdropped. Who cares! We found Nuriko!

"Tamahome!" Miaka hissed. "Tamahome!"

"What?" Tamahome asked.

"Those women! Do you think that they might be member's of Hotohori's harem?" Miaka asked.

"Hotohori?" Tamahome asked with a puzzled expression.

"Uh...The emperor," Miaka answered.

I hope he doesn't pick up on my knowing what's going to happen. Miaka mentally slapped herself for being so dumb. They can't them find out that I know.

"If those are members of his harem do you think they could help us?" Miaka asked. Tamahome didn't answer. "Or do you think they would turn us in?"

"Turn us in," Tamahome answered.

But Nuriko wouldn't do that to us. Miaka thought. Demo if I go in and start talking they'll figure everything out... Miaka paused for a moment. Oh! I know!

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"Shi Jin...Shi Jin..." Yui said to herself as she looked through the shelves, trying to find The Universe of the Four Gods.

"Ah-ha!" Keisuke said and then emerged from behind another bookshelf. "Miaka left it on the floor in the back of the room." Keisuke opened the book and leafed through the pages. "I think this is where Miaka is," he said.

"'The young lady and Tamahome snuck down the hallways of the palace,'" Yui read aloud. "'There they heard three women from the emperor's harem approaching. The young lady was sure that one of these women was really a Celestial Warrior, so she devised a plan to get her attention.'"

"What on earth is Miaka thinking?" Keisuke asked.

"Nuriko was a member of Hotorhori's harem when Miaka first met him. She probably thinks that she can do things differently like this," Yui answered. Keisuke sighed in exasperation.

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"Ne, Tamahome! Come on!" Miaka whispered and motioned for Tamahome to follow her. Tamahome shook his head.

"Are you crazy?" he asked. "Do you want us to get caught AGAIN?"

"Trust me! My plan is full proof!" Miaka answered and slowly opened the door of a near-by room. She carefully slipped inside and slowly closed the door behind her.

"Wait!" she heard Tamahome hiss, followed by the scrambling of his feet. The door opened one more time and the closed softly.

"Here," Miaka said and tossed Tamahome some pieces of clothing. "If we wear this we'll be able to sneak around the palace easier."

Tamahome slowly played with the clothing, trying to figure out what it was.

"Miaka!" he yelled after a few moments. "This is a DRESS."

"Yeah, so?" Miaka asked and slipped a dress she had found for herself over her school uniform.

"I can't wear this!" Tamahome answered. He dropped the dress on the floor and began to go through the large pile of clothing Miaka had found lying in the corner.

After a long search for men's clothes in the pile, Tamahome gave up but still refused to put the dress on. As the miko and seishi turned their attention to the problem at hand, Miaka realized that her plan to find the emperor was more complicated the she had thought. Tamahome kept suggesting that they leave the palace before they got caught but Miaka stubbornly refused.

"I don't understand why you need to see Heika so badly," Tamahome replied.

"Just trust me!" Miaka told him. She moved over towards the door and peered outside. "Shimatta!" Miaka cried as she slammed the door closed behind her.

"What?" Tamahome asked.

"There was someone out there!" Miaka answered.

"Did they see you?" Tamahome asked.

"I don't think so," Miaka answered. They both paused. Nothing. Miaka breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is the coast clear?" Tamahome asked. Just as Miaka was about to crack the door open to check, the door opened by itself. Miaka was knocked off her feet by the sudden surprise.

"Who are you two?" a female voice said. Miaka looked up.

Nuriko! ...He's still cross dressing...like I thought...

The familiar cross dresser looked down at Miaka and then glanced at Tamahome. His violet eyes studied them both.

"So who are you?" Nuriko asked and wound a small strand of violet hair around his finger.

"Oh! We're...anou..." Miaka wanted to say "I am the Priestess of Suzaku and you are Nuriko! Take me to Hotohori!" but she knew she shouldn't. "We're..."

"Yes?" Nuriko asked.

"We were just leaving..." Tamahome said and grabbed Miaka by the arm. "Come on..."

"No," Miaka answered. "Excuse me, but can you take us to the Emperor?"

"Heika?" Nuriko asked. Miaka nodded. "What does a person like you have to do with his majesty?"

"Uh..."

"I'm getting the guards," Nuriko answered.

"Nonono!" Tamahome said. "We're were just LEAVING!" He said and glared at Miaka.

"No we weren't! Miaka cried.

Tamahome! Why on earth are you acting like this? I know when we first me we didn't get along too well but still! What's your problem?

"How about you two come with me?" Nuriko said. "I'll take you to the emperor but it'll send you back to the dungeon."

"Hounto?" Miaka asked.

"Sure," Nuriko answered.

I don't remember Nuriko being so nice when I first met him. But of course, we're meeting under different circumstances... I'm sure that once he find out that Hotohori is in love with me she'll go back to the way I he was the first time.

"Follow me," Nuriko answered. She led them down the hallway and all through the palace. They finally stopped in front of two magnificent doors.

"Wait here," Nuriko replied and opened the door and walked into the throne room.

"Are you happy now?" Tamahome asked. "You got us to the emperor."

"Don't worry," Miaka answered. "I don't think he'll do anything to us." She heard a sarcastic laugh come from Tamahome that clearly said, "Yeah right." "Tamahome... I'm sorry for getting you involved in this."

There was silence for a moment. "It's all right," Tamahome finally replied. "You're the kind of person who needs someone looking over you all the time. I'll protect you until you find someone else who can do a better job."

"Tamahome..."

WHAT THE HELL DID I JUST SAY??? Tamahome's mind screamed. What on EARTH did I just say? The only people I'm supposed to protect is my family, not some goofy foreign girl.

"Hey you two," Nuriko said and popped his head out of the door. "Heika said to send you in."

"Un!" Miaka chirped and walked into the throne room followed by Tamahome. Nuriko led them up to Hotohori.

"Are you the young girl and man my guards detained earlier?" Hotohori asked from the throne.

"Hai," Miaka answered.

"I've heard from many people that you've wished to see me, correct?"

"Yes!" Miaka answered. "You see, I'm not from here..."

"Where exactly are you from?" Hotohori asked. "If you are from Kutou..."

"No... I'm from..." Uhhh... "Japan."

"Japan?" Hotohori and Tamahome said in unison.

"Hai...you see..." Miaka began.

"Are you from this world? You do not look native to this land," Hotohori said.

"I don't think I am," Miaka answered.

"You see," Hotohori began, "There is a legend in this land..."

Okay! Miaka thought So far so good! If I can just find everyone now without them picking up on the fact that I know... Things will probably be easier without the Seiryuu Seishi. Maybe this time we can find Chiriko and Amiboshi won't interfere! Then we won't have to go to war with Kutou and Nuriko, Chiriko, Mitsukake, and Hotohori won't die! Chiriko can grow up, and Hotohori can live to see his son. Nuriko and Mitsukake can live and be happy too. Maybe... Miaka felt herself turning slightly red as she glanced at Tamahome. Maybe I can even wish for Tamahome and I to be together...

"Do you accept this?" Hotohori asked, bringing Miaka back from her world of thoughts.

"Huh?"

"Will you be our Priestess of Suzaku?" Hotohori repeated.

"YES!" Miaka cried and flailed her arms around.

"Good," Hotohori replied and smiled gently. "Then let it be known that this girl is the Priestess of Suzaku!"

Miaka smiled to herself. Hotohori rose from his throne and approached Miaka.

"I would like to know your name. If you will be staying here I wish to know what to call you."

"Miaka," she answered and smiled.

"Miaka," he repeated. "Why don't we meet tomorrow to discuss you job a Suzaku no Miko."

"Un!" Miaka nodded.

"Your companion may stay in the palace too," Hotohori said and motioned towards Tamahome.

"Thanks a lot!" Miaka said. "I think I'll be off then. Jaa!"

"So," Miaka heard. She turned around and saw Nuriko looking back at her. "You're this "Priestess of Suzaku," huh?"

"I guess," Miaka answered.

Here comes the rivalry!

"Well, I hope you can save our country quickly. I wish you luck," Nuriko answered and smiled brightly.

HUH?! Nuriko HATED me at first though!

"Why don't I take you to your room, Miaka," Nuriko answered. Miaka agreed. Nuriko motioned for Tamahome to follow her and the three set off to the guest area of the palace. Nuriko showed Tamahome to his room and he left to relax. Just as Nuriko and Miaka were heading towards Miaka's room Nuriko turned around.

"Kourin!" Someone called from around the corner. "Neeeee! Kourin!" the voice called as they skidded around the corner. "Where were you?"

"Nu-" Miaka began. She stood in shock for a moment to take in what she saw.

That's Nuriko too. But, isn't this Nuriko? Kourin died. These two people are identical! Which one is Nuriko...?

"Oh! Ni-chan!" called "Kourin" and waved wildly and the violet-haired person as they approached.

"Ne, who's your friend?" he asked and gestured towards the miko.

"Oh, this is Miaka, the Priestess of Suzaku," Kourin answered. "Miaka, I'd like you to meet my brother, Ryuuen."

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OKAY! I'm FINALLY finished! Sorry that took so long! I've had summer school -_- Health.... grr...

Before I get flame me that Kourin is alive, I figured things would be just the slightest bit different then the first time! So... there's my reasoning!

R&R!

-Meika

::For the one I adore::