~4/20/2003: Chapter Three – ta da! Two chappies in one day, just as promised! Read on!
Chichiri was having more "alone time" when he suddenly felt the chi of the other warriors and Miaka. Instantly, he discarded his disguise and teleported himself outside to meet them. At the same time, Hotohori was quickly changing into his imperial robes, having given the group the slip when they got to the palace.
"Chichiri!" Miaka cried, overjoyed to see the smiling monk appear in front of her.
"Hi, Miaka, no da!" he replied, just as happy as she. She gave him a hug and promptly introduced him to the others.
"Where's Hotohori?" Tasuki asked, suddenly noticing he was missing.
"I'm right here."
Everyone turned to behold Hotohori in his finest. Those who didn't know he was the Emperor were understandably shocked. However, they quickly got over it, and Hotohori invited them all inside to eat dinner. Miaka, of course, was thrilled, since the last time she had eaten something was lunchtime. As they all filed into the palace, marveling at its beauty, Tenwei stealthily pulled Chichiri aside. Handing him a note, she started to turn away.
"Tenwei! Wait!" Chichiri said in a loud whisper. She turned back around. "Who's this from?"
"It's from Kayami," she answered sadly. For the first time, Chichiri noticed that the young maid's face was streaked with tears. But before he could say anything more, Tenwei had turned and disappeared.
Chichiri looked down at the note in his hand. I'll look at it after dinner. The others will be wondering where I am. I hope Tenwei is all right! She looked so sad. I can't ask her about it now. I'd better get to the dining room before Miaka eats everything!
--*--*--
"Meow!"
Kayami looked down to see her black and white cat, Stardust, rubbing herself against her owner's legs. Kayami smiled. Putting her bag down on the soft, red-carpeted floor, she bent and scooped the animal into her arms.
"Did you miss me, Stardust?"
"Meow!"
Kayami chuckled. "I was only gone for a few hours, hon! Plus, I fed you before I left!"
The jingle of keys was heard, and the lock of the door clicked. Kayami walked over to it, still holding Stardust. The door swung open, and she came face to face with her sister, Rayna.
The resemblance was unmistakable. The two could be twins, except Rayna had bright sapphire-colored eyes, instead of her sister's dark russet ones. Their faces were similar – it was obvious they were sisters. They were both considered pretty by many. Both had long, ebony hair; however, Rayna's only went down to the middle of her back, while Kayami's hair brushed her hips.
Speaking of hips, Rayna's hands were on hers. She didn't look too happy. Uh-oh. This can't be too good… Kayami thought.
"Hi, Rayna," she said aloud, keeping her voice light and setting her cat down gently on the ground. Rayna said nothing, storming past her sister into the comfortable apartment they shared without a word.
"Oh, boy," Kayami muttered, closing the door softly and locking it. "That can't be good."
Throwing her purse and a few shopping bags onto a table, Rayna whirled around to face Kayami. Breaking her silence, she burst out, "Why didn't you tell me you where going into the other world?"
"Well, it was kind of short-notice," Hikaru said uncomfortably, not liking the glare she was receiving from her younger sister. "I just packed a bag and left."
"You had time to pack, but you didn't have time to leave me a note?" growled Rayna.
Kayami was becoming annoyed. "I was only gone for a few hours. Besides that, you were out shopping, and therefore, you wouldn't have gotten the note until you got home anyway! By that time, I would have already been home – which is exactly what happened!"
Rayna had no response to this. She locked eyes with Kayami for a moment before her angry gaze dropped to the floor.
"What are you so worried about?" This time, Kayami's voice was gentler. Rayna was beginning to concern her.
"I just…I just…" Rayna's eyes moved up to meet Kayami's, and Kayami noticed unshed tears forming in the cerulean depths. Slowly, Rayna finished her sentence. "I don't want you…to get hurt again. It's not safe anywhere…but the security is better here…than in the other world."
Suddenly Kayami found it hard to speak. "Oh, Rayna," she whispered, striding forward and hugging her sister tight. They stood that way, tears flowing down both sets of rose-pink cheeks, until they calmed down.
"So," Rayna said, breaking the silence as they both sat down on their comfortable black leather couch. "Why did Father need you over there anyway?"
"He wanted me to keep one of the Celestial Warriors company," Kayami explained. "Apparently, the others went with the Miko to find the locations of the undiscovered ones."
"Ooh!" Rayna exclaimed, sapphire eyes bright with interest. "Which one was it?"
"Chichiri."
"Is he hot?"
"RAYNA!" Kayami shouted, throwing a pillow at her sister's gorgeous face, who swiftly ducked it. "Is that all you think about?!"
"Yes. Is he hot?"
Kayami sighed. "I suppose he's cute. But he's a monk, so…"
Rayna sighed as well. "A monk, huh? That's no fun." The look of disappointment on her face abruptly changed as a new thought occurred to her. "You spent three months with him, right? Getting to know him and keeping him company or whatever?"
"Yeah," Kayami assented, wondering what Rayna was up to.
The answer to her question came speedily as her sister asked bluntly, "Do you like him?"
"Like him how?" Kayami asked cautiously, breaking her own self-rule of never answering a question with another question.
"You know," Rayna said. "Like, like like him."
"Why can't you just say, 'Are you interested in him romantically?'" Kayami inquired a little exasperatedly.
"'Cuz that's no fun to say. Duh. So, are you?"
"I don't know. I mean, he's nice and everything, but I'm not sure. Why are we even talking about this?"
"Because this is how you make it up to me for not leaving a note, Kayami. You tell me about the guys that you meet. I think it's a pretty good system."
Kayami sighed, and then pushed herself up from the couch. Holding out a hand to Rayna, she said, "Come on, Ray-Ray. We'll talk about anything you want over dinner."
--*--*--
Dear Chichiri,
If you're reading this note, then I've already gone back to my world. I'm so sorry that I didn't get to see you today to tell you this in person. It was really great staying at the palace with Tenwei and you. I'm glad we all became friends. I hope to see you again someday soon. Take care of yourself and Tenwei!
Sincerely,
Kayami
Chichiri read the letter once more in the privacy of his room. He'd been his regular cheerful self at dinner, but he hadn't been able to keep Tenwei's tearstained face from his thoughts. He had retired for the night early, hoping that the letter would explain Kayami's sudden disappearance. It had, but now he was considerably sad, knowing he wouldn't be having daily talks over dinner with her. Think about it this way, he instructed himself as he climbed into bed. At least I don't have to keep up the Emperor's disguise anymore. Thank Suzaku! That was getting very tiring!
The monk sighed and drifted off to sleep, unconsciously hoping Kayami would come back soon.
