Fushigi Yûgi-A New Love is Found

Chapter III

Usagi opened her eyes and stared into complete darkness. She stood up and held her head.

"Nani? Where am ...am I...dreaming?" She reached out to grab air when a big, red bird went zooming past her.

"Please find them all, gain the powers of Suzaku." The bird said. Usagi jumped back when she heard the deep voice inside her head.

"Was that...a bird? What the hell is going on? Oh no! Where is Naru-chan? " As if on cue Naru appeared to be floating in the air with a leathery book in her hands. She read, "The young girl was still in the prison cell, she had been unconscious for two hours and Seiya was beginning to worry."

"Naru-chan! You're okay!" Usagi called to Naru with a bright smile but when the image of Naru began to fade away, Usagi's smile faded too.

"NARU!" Usagi screamed sitting up. Seiya came to her bedside and at down.

"It's okay Odango...you'll be all right." He assured while rubbing her back. Usagi looked shocked to see him.

"SEIYA! Wh-where are we?" The blonde asked while she looked around. She had been sleeping on a hard mattress and a think blanket to keep her warm. The room was very small and Usagi noticed they were behind bars.

"We're in the Cells. Her majesty wants to keep us here for a while...I guess she wants investigate on that little incident at the market..." He paused seeing her blank expression. "Odango...you do remember what happened this afternoon don't you?"

"No I don't...and stop calling me Odango!" Usagi told him with a glare. Seiya just blinked and smiled as he patted one of her buns just to tease her more.

"Oh relax Odango, you had a rough day...I'll tell you what happened okay?" You went to the empress asking for a jewel and the guards started to get angry and you got all emotional, then you started crying. It was the oddest thing, th-this bright light came from you and you just collapsed there on the spot. That was when the empress ordered for us to be arrested."

"Oh..." Usagi said in a soft voice. She lowered her head in her knees and cried. Seiya looked taken aback. Usagi wiped her tears away and did the best to show a smile.

"I'm sorry Seiya...I dragged you into all of this, but-but I just don't know what to do. Where is Naru? Where am I and how do I get back to Tokyo. I'm so sorry!" Strong arms wrapped themselves around her thin waist, Usagi looked up to see Seiya's gentle face, and she couldn't help but to blush a little.

"Don't cry Odango..." He whispered wiping away a couple of the bunny's tears. "it's okay...everything will be all right...I'm just happy you're okay." Seiya told her with a smile on his face. "Plus you still owe me money!"

Usagi looked up to see Seiya winking at her. 'That moron! He just had to ruin the moment!' A guard walked by and stopped in front of Seiya and Usagi's shared cell.

"'Ey! You two! Her majesty wants to see you both now! Try any sneaky stuff and I'll kill you on the spot! Let's go!" He unlocked the bar door and waited for both young people to leave the cell before he slammed the door shut.

"Pss Seiya," Usagi whispered to Seiya while the guard led them up a winding staircase. "he was just joking about 'killing us on the spot' right?" Usagi squeaked. Seiya seemed to be thinking the question over in his head.

"Yes I believe he would kill us. Stay away from the guards, they are the filthiest, sneakiest cruelest men in all of Konan." Usagi looked petrified.

_*_*_*_

(Empress's Chambers)

The beautiful empress sat down at her vanity and looked at her reflection. A short, chubby man waddled over to her while holding out a box. The empress gingerly opened it to reveal...a case of make-up. Two maids appeared behind the empress, one began to brush her long, flossy blond curls as the other maid applied the make-up.

"Pii" The empress said to the short man.

"Yes my lady?" The little man asked bowing to show his respect.

"Do you think I'm beautiful?" She asked smiling at her reflection.

"Yes your majesty...no other woman can ever match your beauty." Pii replied. This was a regular routine, the empress would ask silly questions about her beauty and Pii would have to praise her.

"Um...my lady. The two prisoners are making their way to the Throne Room as you wished."

"Good." The empress said standing and shooing the two maids away. "But first I have to pick a cute robe to wear!" She stared running to her closet.

_*_*_*_*_

(Throne Room)

Usagi looked around the big room, there were portraits everywhere and the sweet smell of roses filled the room. Two oak doors opened and everyone in the room dropped to their knees, that is...everyone but Usagi.

"Hey!" Usagi hissed yanking down on one of Usagi's locks of hair.

"Ouchie!" Usagi cried as she fell on her face. She looked up in awe as a young woman-about her age-entered the room with grace. Not until the empress sat upon her throne did everyone stand back up.

"These two are the ones from this afternoon." The rude guard told the delicate empress while jabbing an accusing finger at both Seiya and Usagi.

"I see..." The empress said looking Usagi over. "tell me...what are your names?"

"I am Seiya and this is Usagi." Seiya introduced respectfully.

"Usagi...tell me...what was that little display in the market?" The empress asked.

"Um...excuse me?" Usagi asked looking up but Seiya yanked down on Usagi's hair tell her to look back down.

"Yes, tell me what happened at the market place. I have magicians who couldn't possibly pull off a magic trick like you did. I just want to know how you did it. " The empress said calmly, her blue eyes looking into Usagi's soul.

"I don't...I don't know. I-I just felt so many different emotions and...I don't know...I'm sorry." Usagi explained slowly, not at all too sure of what had happened earlier that day.

"So I see..." The empress brought her thumb to her mouth in a thinking gesture. "And you are sure of this?"

Usagi nodded her heard and the empress began to stroke her chin, then she stood and gracefully glided over to the trembling bunny.

"Usagi you said your name was?" Usagi nodded not being able to talk. She looked to Seiya to see him giving Usagi an uneasy look. The empress circled the bunny look her over while Usagi trembled.

"It's a possibility." Usagi heard the empress mumble. "Usagi, you are wearing the most bizarre clothes, do tell where you got them from." The empress said looking over Usagi's school uniform.

"It-it's my school uniform. I go to Juuban High, we have to wear this." Usagi said stuttering a bit.

"Juuban High you say...tell me. Where is this Juuban High?"

"It's in Tokyo...Tokyo, Japan."

"Usagi..." The blue eyed royal said looking Usagi in the eye with a serious look. "Usagi, Miss Usagi...you match the precise description of the Suzaku no Miko."

"Priestess of Suzaku...wha?" The girl asked blinking. She turned to Seiya who had a solemn look.

"Yes, the Priestess of Suzaku, the one girl who will lead Konan to victory and peace. The one who will banish our enemies. Miss Usagi, will you please gain the powers of Suzaku and become the Priestess of Suzaku?" The empress begged.

'Priestess of Suzaku? What on Earth is she talking about. But I'm not on Earth am I? Um...what should i do-wait! I read something about this Suzzaco no mico stuff...yeah with Naru-chan! It had said something about getting all your wishes come true in the book Naru and me were reading at the library! Oh! I f I became the Priestess I could wish to go home...or I could wish for a boyfriend...or even to pass my exams!' Usagi's eyes got wide and she smiled at the young empress.

"Yes miss empress! I'll do it! I'll become the Priestess of Suzaku!" Usagi declared triumphantly. The empress blinked then smiled brightly. She hugged Usagi tightly catching her off guard.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" The empress said happily.

"Um...my lady?" Pii said in a small voice. The young empress took a step back from Usagi sheepishly. "Oh yes...forgive me. I, Empress of Konan, name his girl, Usagi, as Priestess of Suzaku." The empress said loud enough for everyone to hear. A lit torch on the side of the room suddenly turned to a blazing red light making Usagi jump. Minako looked from the torch with red fire then smiled at Usagi. "It would seem our god, Suzaku accepts you as his priestess it would seem."

"I am Empress Minako Ai. I am also one of your warriors, Venus." The empress bowed respectfully. She looked at Seiya and studied him for the longest time. Finally she walked over to him and looked him in the eye. "You...you are Fighter are you not?" Minako asked. Seiya didn't say anything but nodded.

"Good. We've found two of the eleven." Minako said then she turned to Usagi. "Well, let's get you out of those clothes and into something more appropriate. Pii, show Usagi and Seiya to their new rooms, oh but Seiya..." Minako said walking over to him. She got on tiptoe and whispered something in his ear. Seiya looked at Minako and then nodded, Minako smiled turning back to Usagi.

"Oooh Usagi! I have to cutest robe for you! You have got to try it on!"

"Will it cost me?" Usagi asked.

"No of course not!" Minako replied laughing.

"Okay then, let's go!" Usagi cried jumping up and down. Minako grabbed her hands and the two giggling girls went running through the corridors leaving a confused Seiya behind. Pii let out a sigh.

"Women." Was all he said as he followed the girls, Seiya groaned.

"She's definitely not I had expected of the Priestess of Suzaku." He shrugged and strolled slowly after them.

_*_*_*_*_

(Hours Later)

Seiya was walking around Usagi's new room while Usagi admired herself in the full-length mirror. Empress Minako had been called away to a meeting moments before and Usagi was admiring the beautiful robes Minako had given her.

"Hey Seiya...what did Minako tell you?" Usagi asked turning to look at him.

"When?" Seiya asked still examining all of the little things in her new room.

"Just now. You know, when she had whispered something to you and nodded...what did she say?"

"Nothing much, just that I'm your main guardian." Seiya said simply but Usagi didn't understand.

"My main guardian?"

"Yes, it's my sole purpose in life to make sure you live...even f it costs me my own life."

"Oh that's silly Seiya, you don't need to do that." Usagi said smiling at him.

"Yes I do! It's what I've been born to do." Seiya explained quite briefly. Usagi looked shocked and spoke in a quiet voice.

"But...but your own life? Seiya I appreciate you trying to protect me but-" Usagi was cut off abruptly by Seiya.

"You will live during your journey, it's the job of the senshi and especially mine."

Usagi bit on her nail and kept quiet for a few minutes, then she looked up to Seiya was standing at her balcony.

"Hey yeah Seiya...about this senshi thing. What exactly does that mean and who are they?"

Seiya took a deep breath in and turned to Usagi while leaning on the rail behind him.

"There are eleven people who are chosen by the Nighttime sky, they are the Senshi no Suzaku. Once the Priestess of Suzaku is summoned-that's you-she must find them find them all and father them in a sacred shrine."

"And..." Usagi pressed on. "What happens after that?

"I'm getting to that part! Okay where was it? After all eleven have been gathered the bird god Suzaku comes to hear the Priestess's wishes. If her three wishes are pure and mean only to help others then Suzaku will call upon the Silver Crystal."

"The Silver Crystal?"

"Yeah, it's the crystal that will grant you three wishes."

"Oooh...will a genie come out of this crystal?" Usagi asked with twinkling eye.

"Uh...no. But before you can ask for your wishes you must find the owner of the Crystal."

"Ugh...MORE searching?"

"Yes, you must find the one who can rightfully gain the power of the crystal...that's the only way your three wishes will ever come true."

"Fine, fine. Who is the rightful owner then?" Usagi asked in a tired voice.

"A legend...a princess of a moon. Princess Serenity."

"A legend? Wait is there any proof that this princess exists?" Usagi asked suddenly sitting up right.

"Uhhhhh...no."

Usagi fell over. She could just as well be going on a wild goose chase! There was a rap on the door. Seiya opened it and saw a bowing maid.

"I am very sorry but her majesty suggests that you both take a walk with her in her gardens."

"Oh. Yeah, we'll come!" Usagi said bouncing up and down. The maid bowed and left, when the maid finally left Usagi began to squeal.

"I finally get to show off the robe Empress Minako gave me!"


Seiya just stood, his back towards her.

"What? Don't you like it Seiya?"

"..."

"Ah come on Seiya, what do you think? Don't you like my robe?" Usagi asked modeling.

Seiya, with his back still towards her, stood stiffly and coughed. "It's fine."

"You're no fun ya know that?" Usagi asked pouting.

"Come on before the empress becomes impatient." Seiya said walking to the door. Usagi sighed. "Fine, I'm coming."

Once outside Usagi and Seiya spotted the empress sitting by the pond with two people a few feet behind her, one guard and one maid.

"Minako!" Usagi called waving her hands wildly. Seiya gave Usagi a shocked and warning look but Usagi didn't notice. Minako looked up and smiled warmly, with a few quick words to the guard and maid they disappeared. Usagi ran over to Minako acting as unladylike as humanly possible.

"Ooh Minako! Thank you sooo much for the robe! I love it; it's suteki (beautiful/wonderful)! Thank you sooo much!" She exclaimed happily hugging Minako tightly. Minako just laughed and smiled at her carefree innocence.

"Oh, I'm happy you like it! I haven't worn it in months! It suits you much better and you look so cute!" Minako squealed getting a look at Usagi.

"You think so? Really? I asked Seiya but he wouldn't give me a straight answer!" Usagi exclaimed sticking her tongue out at Seiya who just rolled his eyes and looked away.

Oh is that so? Maybe he's just afraid to tell the truth." Minako said with a knowing smirk. Seiya turned around and stared at her, his mouth agape. After a few moments he closed his mouth and started to walk towards a path trying to hide his red-hot face. Minako just giggled and took Usagi by the hand.

"Come on, I guess Seiya is starting the walk without us!"

__*_*_*_*_

(20 Minutes Later)

Usagi and Minako skipped happily in front of Seiya, it didn't even take an hour them to become real close. Seiya, a few paces behind them, smiled at the two. Who would have thought that the girl who forced him to help her would be the sole purpose of his life?

"Seiya! Minako! You guys!! Hurry up you slow pike!" Usagi was now up ahead both Seiya and Minako and she was walking backwards so that she could talk to her two friends.

_*_*_*_

(At the Exact Same Time)

Two men sat on the palace's roof trying to repair it from a previous storm. Neither of the men seemed to notice the box of dangerous tools slowly falling off the slanted roof...

_*_*_*_

(With Usagi, Minako and Seiya)

Usagi continued walking backwards then she stopped to whine more about how slow both Seiya and Minako were. Seiya and Minako just laughed at her childish acts and Usagi stuck her tongue out at her friends, but at the same time the box of tools fell off the roof and the crate was about to land on Usagi's head. Being as quick as he was, Seiya saw the crate and the unsuspecting bunny.

"ODANGO!" Seiya yelled at the top of his lungs and running as fast as he could to her. Usagi looked at him in confusion then she looked above her head. She let out a small gasp but didn't make any attempt to move, she just stared at the big, wooden crate that was drew closer to coming in contact with her head.

A ray of blinding yellow light made Seiya stop running and shield his eyes. The yellow light seemed to be aimed at the crate for it hit the very center of it sending it flying about five feet before it fell to the ground and cracked. Usagi turned her head to look at the crate that would had landed on her head but instead it was a few feet away form her and it lay in pieces.

"Who..." She whispered while looking at Minako and Seiya who had similar shocked expressions.

"Hello..." came a mysterious voice. All three looked at the direction of the voice and saw a shadow nearing them. When the stranger was close enough Usagi studied the person hard. It was a man with mysterious olive-colored eyes.

"Allow me to introduce myself." He said doing a quick bow. "I am Yaten Kou, also known as Healer."