Disclaimer: Please see the Prologue of Suzaku's Oracle for a blanket disclaimer.
.
Warnings: Rated PG-13 or Fiction T. Minimal language. Tasuki, of course!
.
Notes: 7-27-13 In Japan, to introduce yourself properly you use your surname first, and your personal name second. Example: in Japan, John Doe would say, "My name is Doe John." Being American, I'm most comfortable with "John Doe". However, to be true to the characters depicted in OFG, I've decided that when they are speaking, they will introduce themselves with their surname first. Aneko, having been born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, will always introduce herself as Mitsu Aneko because that is what she would be most familiar with were she a real person. In the narration, though, I will revert to the form I'm most familiar with and write it as Aneko Mitsu. ~Sapphire
.
.
.
Oracles of the Four Gods
"Suzaku's Oracle"
By: Sapphire
.
Part Ten ~ Looking for Answers…
.
…...
.
It was clear the woman was distraught, and both Tasuki and Chichiri knew it was best to let the subject drop for the time being. Upset females were incoherent at best, in Tasuki's opinion. They'd question her when she had calmed down.
"It's not important, no da," Chichiri commented casually. Tasuki carefully got to his feet, letting the far more sensitive monk deal with the woman. Chichiri stood a moment later, then joined Tasuki as he headed toward what remained of the little pavilion and poked around a little.
"Damn thing nearly came down on our heads," Tasuki complained gruffly.
"It must have been weakened in the earthquake," Chichiri surmised.
"It picked a hell of a time to fall over," Tasuki vented. He kicked at a piece of solid rock, then bit back a yelp at the sharp throb in his toe. He noticed the woman watching them mutely. He couldn't begin to wonder what she was thinking.
"Are you okay?" Chichiri asked her, pulling Tasuki along with him as he made his way over to her. The woman looked up at both men standing over her. Tasuki wondered if she knew she was still sitting in the flower bed. She nodded slowly. "Let us help you up," Chichiri offered. She nodded again. She wasn't very talkative, Tasuki noticed. That was a change. Women usually talked his ear off. Even Miaka did. With a sigh, he reached down to help Chichiri bring the woman to her feet.
"Ow!" she yelped as they each took an arm and pulled. Tasuki looked at Chichiri, surprised, and they immediately dropped their hold on her. Tasuki watched as the woman clutched at her left arm the moment her hands were free. Chichiri dropped down to his knees next to her.
"Her arm is broken," Chichiri told Tasuki, looking up at him.
"Sorry," Tasuki quickly apologized to the woman. He'd been the one to unknowingly grab hold of her broken arm. "I didn't know." She just nodded mutely. Tasuki felt terrible. He didn't like women, but that didn't mean he liked seeing them hurt. He liked it even less when he was the cause of it.
"I forgot about that, no da," Chichiri told Tasuki with an apologetic look. Then the monk turned back to the woman. "We'll take you back to your room if you want." She nodded, the muscles in her jaw flexing as she clenched her teeth against the pain she was in. "This way, Miss... Da! What is your name?" Tasuki glanced over at the two. Chichiri was right. They didn't even know the woman's name yet.
"Its Aneko, Mitsu Aneko," she said as Chichiri helped her up and started them off toward her room. Tasuki followed close behind. "What's your name?"
"My name is Ri Houjun, but you can call me Chichiri, no da," he answered. Tasuki was almost shocked. Chichiri never used his given name when he introduced himself. He wondered what was going on inside the monk's head.
"Chichiri," the woman, Aneko, repeated slowly, getting used to the name. She looked at Tasuki. "And you?" she asked.
"Tasuki," he answered shortly. Again she repeated the name to herself.
"Miss Mitsu?" Chichiri said, glancing at her, "Can I ask you a question?"
"Of course," she replied.
"Do you know where you are?" That was a good question, Tasuki thought. Aneko gave Chichiri a suspicious glance.
"You said I was in the Imperial Palace in Eiyou," she replied. "Were you lying to me?"
"No, you are, no da," Chichiri assured her. She breathed a sigh of relief. Tasuki thought it was almost comical the way she trusted them one moment, and was suspicious of them the next.
"I was told that this is the capitol of Konankoku," Aneko volunteered. "But other than that...I think I'm lost. I- I'm not even sure how I got here. I'm very confused about a lot of things." The monk was thoughtful for a few moments as they walked in relative silence. Tasuki wondered what was going through his friend's head. The more they learned about Aneko, the more mysterious she became. He wondered if any of the monk's thoughts mimicked his own.
"I'd like to help you out, no da," Chichiri offered. "I think I know a way to answer a lot of your questions, and a lot of mine." He was planning something, Tasuki knew. He wondered what it was.
"I'll gladly take that help," Aneko consented. "I came to this city to find just that." Chichiri nodded. Tasuki remained silent.
.
…...
.
A few short hours later Aneko found herself in an exceptionally large and ornate chamber kneeling before a woman on a throne. The woman was young, with long dark hair and big bright violet eyes. She looked very regal in her luxurious silks and jeweled crown. The Empress nodded slightly, acknowledging Aneko, then turned to Chichiri and Tasuki with a smile.
"Tasuki, its been almost a year since you were last here," she said. "I am sincerely glad to see you again."
"I've been busy with the bandits," Tasuki replied vaguely. "I thought I'd come see what was goin' on when things started gettin' weird." The Empress smiled again, apparently amused by his feigned nonchalance.
"So, Chichiri," the Empress said, turning to the monk. "Who do we have staying with us?"
"Her name is Mitsu Aneko," Chichiri answered.
"Welcome to Eiyou and the Imperial Palace, Miss Mitsu. We are pleased to have you stay with us," the Empress said graciously.
"I am honored, Highness," Aneko said, bowing her head respectfully. She hoped she was showing the proper homage to the Empress of Konan. If she wanted help finding her way home, it wouldn't do to insult the Empress. "I thank you for your hospitality." Her words seemed to please the Empress. She motioned for Aneko to sit up, and she rose from her bent position. Aneko observed it was probably best not to say or do anything unless instructed, asked, or allowed. She would have less chance of making some kind of political or social blunder that way.
"Do you know who we are?" the Empress asked her. Aneko looked up and met the other woman's eyes. She wasn't sure she was supposed to do that, but when the Empress said nothing of it, she continued to do so, knowing it was the best way of displaying honesty and earnestness.
"You are the Empress of Konankoku, Highness," she answered in a clear, but soft tone. "I don't know much about you, Majesty, or this land. But I've learned since coming here that some years ago there was a war. The Emperor died in battle. Now you rule as regent for your son, the crown prince." The Empress nodded in agreement.
"Yes. Three years we have served as Empress-Regent. You learn quickly for a foreigner," there was a measuring look in the Empress' eyes as she said those words. That look did not escape Aneko. She had known she would be under scrutiny before she had entered the audience chamber of the Empress.
"It's wise to know the politics of whatever land you find yourself in," Aneko replied evenly.
"Indeed," the Empress agreed. "Tell me, how long have you been in Konan?" Aneko thought for a few moments before making a reply.
"I'm not sure. I don't know how long I was unconscious. Before that, I can remember being here for only two and a half days." She looked at Chichiri, wondering if it would be permissible to speak to him when in audience with the Empress. She looked to the Empress. She seemed to be waiting for Aneko to make a move. She decided to chance it. "How long was I asleep?" she asked the monk. She held her breath a moment, anticipating some kind of appalled response from the court, but none came.
"Five days, no da," Chichiri told her. Her eyes flew open wide with surprise.
"Five days!" She felt a wave of homesickness. She'd been gone a total of a week. Did anyone even miss her back home? She frowned. There weren't many people who would miss her back home. She knew there was at least someone, but who, she couldn't remember. She scowled. She had never thought to wonder about her family since she'd gotten to this strange place, but when she thought about it now, she got the same fleeting memory she'd gotten before when she tried to think of home. It was frustrating. Suddenly she realized that everyone in the large chamber, including the guards and the Empress' own attendants were all staring at her. "I- I'm sorry," she apologized. "I was just- I was thinking of my home, and trying to remember... something."
"Do you miss this place you come from?" the Empress asked. Aneko nodded.
"I do, Your Majesty," she answered. "I want to return home, but I'm lost. I don't know the way. And no one I've met here has been able to help me." Aneko thought again how strange it was that she couldn't remember how she had gotten there, other than some vague information.
"Perhaps we can help," the Empress said. "Where is your home?" Aneko didn't think telling them would be very helpful. So far no one had even heard of Tokyo. She looked first at the Empress, then at Tasuki. They seemed curious only. As she shifted her gaze to Chichiri, she sensed a seriousness in his expression. For some reason, it was important to him. She couldn't begin to fathom why.
"No one I've met here has ever heard of it. It's a city called Tokyo," she replied finally.
"Tokyo!?" both Chichiri and Tasuki exclaimed.
.
…...
.
.
To be continued…
.
End Note: Thank-you for reading! I really do appreciate the time readers spend with my story. I'm flattered that you've spent ten chapters with Suzaku's Oracle. I hope you continue to enjoy the coming chapters! ~Sapphire
.