Hey, Hey, Hey! I am sorry for taking so long to update, but good writing takes time you know? Once a week isn't that bad is it? It takes me about one day or two to get a basic chapter out, then another to edit, then another to try to forget about it, and one more to go back over the chapter and fix it up a bit you know? (remind me to never use run on sentences like that in my story…sheesh!) GOOD NEWS!!! I just spent ALL of my money…been saving up $ from work for about a year now…and I bought my very own computer! Which means I have more opportunities to write more chapters…good huh? I used to have to kidnap my dad's laptop and write chapters when I could…I can't write on paper…just doesn't get the juices flowing you know? And I have to write in my room away from people looking over my shoulder to see what I'm typing…don't even get me started… So I'll try to update more often, OKEE-DAY? In return you have to review! Read on!
SEQ CHAPTER \h \r 1Chapter 7
***Ari's POV***
The forest eventually gave way to an old dirt road. Scrub brush graced the side of the horse-trodden path. The air was so clear, the spectacle of the northern mountains could be seen for miles. The sky shone above the travelers, sunlight reflecting off metal trappings.
Two horses, carrying three travelers, made for close confinements.
At least I'm not tied up, this time, thought Ari, her arms wrapped around Rui's torso. Kura was convinced that Ari and herself were more than her horse could bear, the animal being tired out from rushing off to fight bandits, so Ari rode with Rui. Matchmaker sister...ugh. Not like I don't have enough to worry about, a meddling sister will be just...
Ari lost her train of thought as Rui urged the horse into a gallop. Ari tightened her grip and held on for all she was worth. STUPID HORSE-CAMP DIDN'T TEACH ME SHIT!!
Rui looked back at her. "You okay back there?"
"Yeah, yeah." Her backside hit the saddle especially hard, making her wince. "I'm fine," she said, her voice strained.
He laughed at her. "You don't know how to ride a horse." It was a statement, not a question.
"Well, I never thought I'd be stuck relying on one for serious travel purposes, now did I?" She stuck her tongue out at the back of his head. Kura laughed.
"What did you use for transportation then?"
Oh geez. "Well, there were cars...and trains...and the subway...you know what? I'm not even gonna try to explain."
Rui didn't respond, but seemed to be studying her movements on the horse.
"Stop fighting the motion." He said to her. "Move with the horse...No, no, no. WITH the horse!"
By the time Rui had talked Ari into a reasonable movement, Kura was barely able to stay on her own horse, she was laughing so hard. Both of her traveling companions were glaring at her.
She held a hand to her stomach. "Ohhhh! You two...are just so...I don't know the word for it..."
They continued to glower at her.
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"Ari, look." Rui breathed back to her.
"Huh?" She sat up, having fallen asleep against Rui's broad back, and looked. The sight that lay in front of them took her breath away. From the top of the hill, they looked down on the capital stretching out below them. The palace was clearly visible, standing apart from the rest of the city. Tile roofs glowed red in the light of the setting sun.
"We're here." He answered.
From halfway down the hill, Kura called up to them. "Hey, hurry up!"
Rui heeled the horse into motion, causing Ari to grab onto him once more.
"You did that on purpose!" she accused him.
He just laughed.
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::Inside the palace::
Two young men stood alone in an empty room. The only piece of furniture was a bench, crouching against one wall. The wooden floor was waxed to a golden shine that faintly reflected the two figures. Each held a sword, raised, prepared.
The two were very different. One was taller than the other by at least half a head. He wore plain practice clothes, but carried himself well, like he knew his place in the world. Long hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. When he stepped into the sunlight that filtered in from a window, his dark hair seemed to blaze gold. Gold flecked eyes watched his opponent's every move. A fit body was laced with muscle. He moved like a cat, surefooted and strong.
The shorter of the two was every bit as sure of himself as his training partner. Green eyes were quick, aware of everything. Shoulder-length, brown hair was tied at the back of his neck. A teasing smile played at his mouth.
"Don't expect me to go easy on you," the shorter one called out.
The other didn't deign to answer.
With a flash of steel, both stepped in. The swords clashed again and again. The green-eyed one attacking, the other fending him off. They moved across the floor, feet not making a sound. The attack movement switched swords. Once the tall man moved, it became clear he had been holding out. Within a minute, he had not only disarmed the shorter man, but had him on the floor as well.
The man with long hair stood over the other, sword resting against the bridge of his opponent's nose. The corner of his mouth curled up in a smile.
"I win."
"Obviously. You always win."
He shrugged one shoulder to say there was nothing he could do about it. Leaning down, he offered his arm to his friend.
He grasped his arm, stood up and walked over to the bench. Sitting down, he wiped his forehead on a towel. The taller man joined him, gulping a mouthful of water from a bottle that he returned to the floor.
"I need to find myself a better practice partner..." he said wryly.
"You say that after every match...but you never actually try to get anyone better. And besides, I thought I had a pretty good attack there at the beginning." The green eyed man waved his finger in front of his friend's nose to emphasize his point. Suddenly, he turned his head at a noise outside the door.
The taller walked over to screen and pulled it open to see what the noise was about. Servants were running up and down the hallway in a frenzy. He said nothing, but raised his eyebrows in question. The other man walked out into the hall and pulled aside a servant girl.
"Kiku, my love, my flower, what is all this about?" He asked her, arm snaking around her shoulders.
She looked at his hand out of the corner of her eyes, plucked his sleeve from her collar and slipped out from under his arm. "Kei-san, not now. I'm in a hurry. I don't have time-"
He cut her off, his voice syrupy smooth. "Yes, I can see that. But why?"
She gaped at him. "You haven't heard?"
Kei rolled his eyes. The other looked at her as well. " I admit to curiosity, myself."
She nodded respectfully to him. "News just came of visitors to the palace..."
"What's so special about-"
She cut Kei off in turn. "Visitor's claiming to have found the Suzaku no Miko." She bowed to both men. "Now if you'll excuse me, Taiyo-san, Kei-san." She rushed back into the madness of the hallways, leaving both men stunned at her revelation.
Kei looked up at his friend. "Did she say..."
Taiyo nodded. "Mmm-hmm."
They looked at each other for a full second before rushing off into the crowd of servants to join the audience.
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::The throne room::
Ari stared down at the fabric of her pants. She could imagine the way the muscles in her thighs were stretching taunt from sitting on her knees. She imagined the tendons suddenly snapping from the strain, and winced.
The floor below her was a warm, finished wood that glowed in the lamp-light. The throne room in which she was sitting, was decked out in tapestries, making the hall seem almost cave-like. Before her rose a podium on which the emperor perched.
The emperor was a tired-looking man in his middle age. Silver streaks shone from his dark hair. He had the look of one who was very handsome in his youth, but knew that he no longer possessed his former beauty. His gold flecked eyes watched the girl kneeling before him.
Rui, sitting to the right and slightly ahead of her, was speaking to the man on the podium. Kura flanked Rui's other shoulder, her head bowed respectfully. Rui fell silent, having said his bit.
The emperor brought his attention back to Rui. He leaned forward, resting his chin on the top of folded hands thoughtfully. When he spoke, the voice echoed throughout the hall.
"We must admit to some confusion," he stated. "You say you have brought to us the Suzaku no Miko. Yet it has been naut but fifty years since the previous Miko graced us with her presence. Her strength and heart left this country in peace and prosperity. We have enjoyed these gifts for many years, and will continue to do so for many more to come. We have no need of a Suzaku no Miko at this time...Why would she appear at the height of this country's graces?" He looked back to Ari, who met his gaze levelly. "What's more, by all appearances, you have brought us, not a priestess, but a common kitchen boy off the streets." Rui's eyes narrowed a fraction at the slight on his honor. The man continued. "What proof do you have that this is indeed the Suzaku no Miko?"
Ari watched the emperor sit back on his throne smugly. Great. Now what? If he doesn't believe us...She didn't want to think of that possibility.
Rui bowed to the podium, almost sarcastically, and said, "If I may, your majesty." He stood up and turned to Ari. Offering her his hands, he pulled her up from the floor. Her legs went numb for a moment as the blood rushed back into the muscles. Rui pushed her forward gently. To the emperor he said, "I shall prove to you this is no ordinary kitchen boy."
Kura hissed at him from the floor. "Watch your tone, Rui." He ignored her and tugged on the tie that held back Ari's hair. The golden strands fell loose around her face. A murmur went around the room as Ari raised her chin, revealing blue eyes for the court to see.
"You show us nothing we have not seen before. There are tribes in the North with such colorings. This proves nothing." The emperor scowled at Rui.
Rui scowled right back, muttering under his breath, "Stubborn old coot..."
"Rui!" Kura hissed at him.
Rui pulled Ari's old clothes from a pack. Holding them up for the emperor to see, he argued, "These clothes are not of this land. These are of a foreign fabric, and style. They are from another world." He watched as the emperor shook his head.
"No, no. Not good enough. Our patience runs thin young man..." The emperor waved a hand to signal his attendants. Guards flanked Rui, Ari, and Kura, ready to escort them from the hall. Ari wriggled out of their grasp and bravely approached the throne. The man above her watched curiously, but raised a hand, stopping the soldiers up short.
Ari looked into the eyes of the emperor, determined to prove herself. "I do come from another world. Rui is telling the truth." For a change. "I come from a place very different from this country. My world is full of wonders you'd never imagine." She thought back to her home, and all the things she missed most. "There are cars that you can drive around in, and airplanes that can fly you to places across the world. There are telephones that let you speak to people millions of miles away, computers that you can do almost anything with, television, and refrigerators, and microwaves, and radios. There's electricity, and indoor plumbing!"
I'm really gonna miss that.
She didn't notice but everyone had stopped moving to listen to her speak. Her focus was on the emperor alone. He watched her plead for his trust; his eyes were almost, against his own will, sympathetic.
"My home is there, with friends and my family."
Tears formed in Ari's eyes, but she just clenched her fisted tightly and continued.
"My room, and my bed with those ugly quilts on it that Mom likes so much. There's my ugly-ass carpet that won't get clean no matter how hard we clean it." She ran through everything that reminded her of home, desperate to prove herself.
Kura was standing close to her, a comforting hand resting on Ari's shoulder. Rui stood behind them, scowling blackly at anyone who came too close. Ari continued to beseech the man on the podium. "There's my books, and my pictures of my friends, and my teddy-bear that I've had since I was like two-"
The emperor stopped her mid sentence. "What was that?"
She froze mid sentence. "Huh?"
"That last part, about the bear."
"My teddy bear?" She scowled and put her hands on her hips, as she attempted to retain her dignity. "Hey mister, I know what you're thinking. I'm too old to be clinging to a comfort object, but I've had that old thing forever and a day, so there's nothing you can say to-"
The older man waved a servant over to him. The retainer brought forth what, for all appearances, looked like an old, well loved, teddy bear. "Did it look anything like this?" He asked her.
She looked at it critically. "Kinda. Mine had darker fur, and a red bow tied around the wrist..." Where the hell did they get a teddy bear from?
The emperor explained, while he deftly turned the bear in his hands. "This toy was given to my father by the previous Suzaku no Miko. If what you say is true...it is quite possible you really are the next priestess..." He rubbed his hand over his eyes. "We will speak of this topic with our retainers and hopefully reach a decision. Until then, you three are to stay in the palace. Our servants will show you to your rooms. We will inform you when there will be another audience." With that he swept off the dais and into an adjoining room, followed by what Ari took to be his retainers. She noticed two younger men joining them, looking sorely out of place amid the fancy robes and gray hair.
She watched them leave and sighed, leaning backwards against Rui. "I want to go home...I don't belong here."
Rui patted her head. "I know, I know. But you can't go home until you save the world, right?" He turned her around so they could follow the servants to their rooms.
She snorted. "Do you really want a savior who keeps a teddy bear?"
He smiled but didn't respond. Kura spun around to face them.
"You two are gonna get us all killed!" She whispered fiercely to them. "What with Rui talking back to the emperor and you approaching the throne unbidden..." She rubbed her face in both hands. "Great Suzaku, have you never heard of court etiquette?" She looked at her brother then at Ari. "Don't answer that..."
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END! Of that chapter anyway. ......oh geez...I feel like I should apologize about this chapter...um, I'm hopping the teddy bear bit was slightly humorous, and slightly original...I have to keep my two reviewers happy now don't I? (By the way, you guys are the BEST!!!) HEHEHE I only have two reviewers who have reviewed more than twice...do people just read one chapter then never bother to check the next ones? Oh yeah that makes me feel great...I'm gonna do a poll here...anyone who has been reading all the chapters in turn, mention it in a review...And I swear this is not a plot to make people review...I PROMISE!!! (insert wicked cackle here...)
You know what...I really don't think im up to par tonight... too ... tired ...but ...must...find...better... name... for...Kei...you know, one of the mystery men in the middle of the chapter...AND ABOUT THOSE TWO!! Have I confused anyone with that part? (Yup yup yup) Guess what!?!? ( what's this you already guessed that they will soon each have a major part in this story...damn, I'm not very good at keeping secrets, can you tell?) NO!!! DON"T TELL THEM ANY MORE!!! MUST TURN OFF COMPUTER BEFORE GIVING AWAY ANY MAJOR SPOILERS...LIKE THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE A LOVE INTEREST FOR KURA SOON...NOOOOOOOO I SAID DON'T TELL THEM!!! I'm sorry, caps-lock is so much fun at times...
::FAQ:: that nobody really asks frequently... if ever...
Disclaimer: no people, I am not on anything, nor drunk. I am just insane. OK? Great!
Question: (question is not quite accurate, more like R: for request) Please don't make the emperor a seishi...
Answer: WHY? WOULD THAT BE TOO CLICHE FOR YOU READERS??? I'm just teasing you KT-chan, you're fun to tease! That's all, I swear, I'm not mad at you or anything, I just think that you make for great jokes...don't say anything to that, please?
To ANSWER this request, I have already come up with all the main characters so it is too late to make requests...but no the emperor is not one of Ari's warriors. But can anyone guess who he really is?? Anyone? Anyone? Oh come on people! The teddy bear! Think about the teddy bear!! (Wanderlily walks away from the computer in utter frustration...)
No, it's not a good night for trying to write...so I'm giving up for now...I'll try again tomorrow!
***wanderlily***