"Our Love Everlasting" by Ai Yuukan
Chapter 2
"Houki-sama. Houki-sama."
Kathryn didn't want to wake up. What a lovely dream.. And who was Houki? She turned over and smiled tearfully at the memory of her father's voice. Daddy..
"Houki-sama. You have a letter, Houki-sama."
Kathryn groaned. She didn't want to wake up. And she wasn't Houki! And who was talking to her anyway? The voice wasn't familiar. She cracked open one eye. "Who-Who is it?"
The maid sighed with relief. "It's a letter from your hometown, Houki-sama."
Kathryn closed her eyes again. "I'm not Houki." She muttered irritably.
The maid blinked. "Is something wrong, Houki-sama?"
Kathryn groaned and sat upright in bed. "For the last time, my name isn't Houki! It's - What the hell?!?!"
"Houki-sama! Your hair!" The dark-haired maid gasped in wonder. "It's blue!"
Kathryn didn't pay her any attention. She stared in shock at the beautiful room she was in. She was in a bed of silver and purple and blue.. and her maid. She stared. She had dark hair gracefully pinned up with a pair of what looked like red chopsticks and was dressed in a very simple yet elegant pink kimono embroidered with red and white leaves. Kathryn felt faint. Holy freakin' cow! "Where am I?" She demanded in a shaken, scared voice.
The maid sweatdropped. "Houki-sama? Do you need to rest some more?" She then gaped as she realized the color of Kathryn's eyes. They were silver! She rubbed her eyes and hurried to open the screen door. It must be the light!, she decided worriedly.
Kathryn stared as the screen door was opened and revealed the setting of a Chinese palace before her. She started shaking. "Where am I?"
Someone chuckled deeply in her mind. You are home, my daughter.
Almost immediately, Kathryn relaxed. Daddy? She called out for him in a tentative whisper.
I am here, my little kitten. You are home and I am here with you.
"Eri! Is something wrong?" A passing maid asked the disgruntled servant.
Eri nodded. "Hai! Something is wrong with Houki-sama! Her coloring has gone all - crazy! Please, fetch the doctor!"
"H-Hai!"
"Houki-sama! Do not worry! I will call Korin at once! She'll help us!" Eri rushed out of the room and closed the screen door behind her.
Kathryn looked around the room, looking for her father. "Daddy? Where are you?"
Right here. Suddenly, before her, several white lights surfaced and suddenly, he was there! A tall man, with long flowing white hair and garbed in an imperial white and black robe, was there standing before her bed.
Kathryn's hands rose up to cover her mouth. Those black eyes.. it was really.. him. Daddy?
The man glowed with an ethereal white and silver light as he moved to Kathryn's bedstead. My dear child.. are you well?
Kathryn couldn't stop the tears from flowing. "Daddy!"
"I am where?" Kathryn asked, wiping her face with her sleeve.
In the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. Do you remember the book Keisuke told you of? You are in the book. The man told her gently.
Kathryn smiled at the gentle look in her father's eyes. He was alive.. she had always believed.. She shook her head and returned to the matter at hand with a trembling smile. "Yes.. I remember. Then I am really in the book? At the beginning?"
The man nodded. Hai. I brought you here.. not only to reunite us.. but to ask you to do something for me.
Kathryn cocked her head, puzzled. "What?"
It was the only way I could manage to have you back with me. You are at the beginning for a reason. Do you remember what your friend told you of the Byakko no Miko?
Kathryn frowned thoughtfully. "I think.. she summoned Byakko.. didn't she?"
The man nodded. She did and she was a wonderful miko.. but she her third wish.. do you remember it?
Kathryn nodded slowly. "Hai."
She wished to be together with her lover, Tatara. Although I would have gladly agreed, it was not in my power to do so. I could not grant that wish. And so the third wish remains ungranted. That is why you are here.
Kathryn frowned again. "Why?"
You will be the second Byakko no Miko.
Kathryn stared. "No way!"
The man suddenly stiffened and turned. I must go. Call me again later and I will come. You must be alone. I will explain more then. In the meantime, find your sisters.
Kathryn stiffened. "Th-They're here?"
Yes, and although I am confident of Suzaku's manners, I am not to sure of Genbu's. Comfort them, especially Samantha.
Kathryn held on to her father's arm. "Please.. don't go.." Not when she had just found him again!
The man smiled gently and kissed her on the forehead. I will never be far away, my daughter. Now that I am your father once more, I'll never let my baby go.
Kathryn smiled tearfully against her father's robe. "I love you, daddy."
The man smiled gently before disappearing in a haze of white lights. And I have always loved you, my daughter.
"Houki-sama!"
Kathryn looked up. "Yeah?" She smiled. She was speaking Chinese! How cool was that?
A woman came up from behind her maid. "You aught to get a new maid, Houki, you know. She's just told me that your coloring's gone all 'crazy'. What is she..!! Houki! What's happened to you?!" The purple-haired woman shrieked.
Kathryn frowned. "Who are you?" She touched her hair. "And what's wrong with my hair?" She lifted a strand and promptly screamed. "BLUE?!?" Her hair was blue!!!!!
The purple-haired woman ventured closer. "Sugoi.. and your eyes.."
Kathryn was almost afraid to ask. "What about them?"
The woman frowned. "They're silver."
Kathryn almost slumped with relief. Her eyes were normal then, thank the stars. "Geez, you scared me, you know."
The woman's frown deepened. "Is something wrong, Houki? You're acting.. different."
Kathryn sighed. "Must I say it again? I'm not Houki."
The woman arched a brow. "And I'm not beautiful. Right."
"Really, I'm not Houki!"
"Uh-huh."
Kathryn sweatdropped. This was going to be harder than she thought.
"And what's with your clothes?" The woman continued on curiously.
Kathryn looked down and almost smiled. She was still in her own clothes. The woman felt her forehead. "Are you ill?"
"I.. don't think so.. why?"
The woman sighed. "It you're not trying to suffocate yourself with wool, then I don't know what you're doing."
Kathryn finally understood. She was referring to her wool sweater! "Er.. I can explain."
"You'd better." The woman agreed.
Kathryn didn't know where to start. "Okay. Here I go. My name is not Houki. It's Kathryn. Kathryn Smith."
"Ka-shi-rin Sumi-su?" The woman wrinkled her nose. "Your stories get stranger every day, Houki."
Exasperated, Kathryn insisted, "My name is not Houki! It's Kathryn! Kate for short." Your seishi name is Shoshi. Kathryn smiled and closed her eyes. Her father's love filled her heart and made her warm. "My.. seishi name is Shoshi."
"Right." The woman said dubiously.
Kathryn ignored her. You have been sent by Byakko to fulfill your destiny and complete your soul. You will require Konan's aid. Kathryn's eyes widened with wonder. "I have been sent by Byakko.. and I will need to speak with the emperor.."
At that the woman burst out laughing. Kathryn stared at her with confusion. "Nani?"
The woman chuckled long after she finished laughing. "That was a good one, Houki. Real good."
Kathryn sweatdropped. Just how many times was she supposed to tell her..?
The woman wiped away her tears. "Really.. it's really something.. the way we make things up just to be admitted to see the emperor. That was really something, Houki." She started laughing all over again.
Kathryn sweatdropped. "I wasn't making everything up!"
Even her father sounded exasperated. Lower your wooly neckline, daughter. That'll teach them.
Kathryn didn't know what she was doing, but she was willing to do just about anything to get the woman to stop laughing. "Look! I'll prove it!" She lowered her neckline.
The woman stopped laughing immediately. After a long moment, the woman said, "Okay, start talking. Now I know you're definitely not Houki.." She narrowed her eyes. "So you could either be who you say you are: Shoshi; or a demon."
Kathryn sweatdropped. This wasn't good.
"I'm telling you, I really need to see the emperor!" Kathryn shouted at the guards.
The guards shook their heads. "I'm sorry, but he will not see you!"
Kathryn bristled. "How dare you speak for the emperor! Now I need to see him, and I need to see him NOW!"
"Houki-san.." Eri had dropped the -sama now in her distress. "Surely you cannot be serious.."
Kathryn's father was also infuriated by now. How dare they! I am going to activate your first power now, Katie. Use it well.
Kathryn frowned. Power?
"No, we cann-!" One of the guards yelped, "Demon!!"
Kathryn cocked her head. "Huh?"
Korin stared up at her. "Okay, now you're freaking me out.."
With shock, Kathryn realized she was floating off the ground! "Woah, now!"
They will not let you through. Find another entrance.
Kathryn felt like crying. "But I'm afraid of heights!!" She whimpered.
Her father sighed. You will have to lose that fear, daughter, for you have the power to fly.
At that, Kathryn blinked. "Fly?" She echoed with disbelief.
Indeed.
Kathryn's face suddenly broke into a wide smile. "Coolness!"
"Aaah!"
The emperor jumped as something crashed through the window in the darker parts of his throne room. "Nani?" His advisor yelped.
"Houki-sama!!"
The advisor sweatdropped. "Must be another love letter." He muttered uncomfortably. When would that Korin stop?! Her antics were beginning to be unbearable! Clearing his throat, he continued, "Your highness," He bowed his head low. "May I speak?"
The shadowed emperor inclined his head minutely. The advisor nodded. "I beseech you, your highness, sentence the girl and the boy to death. The girl gave off a red light and disappeared. And the two other girls.. they are responsible for the deaths of six of your soldiers. It is obvious they are involved with the girl and the boy. They might be demons!" He bowed again. "Your highness, please!"
Kathryn listened intently to the advisor's plea. Korin and Eri tried to get in the window after her. She smiled. But it was too high up to climb. Then, to her surprise, she heard the emperor speak. "Matte. The clothes.. of the three girls.. were foreign. There must be some reason behind it."
Kathryn stiffened. "Demo.." The advisor protested.
"Matte!" Kathryn stepped into the light. The emperor and the two courtiers turned to stare at her.
Another maiden servant rushed into the room at that moment. "Houki- san! Why did you take off like that?" Then she realized where she was and gasped. "Houki-san, what are you doing in here?!" She sounded horrified.
Kathryn was disgruntled. How many times did she have to tell her?!
The emperor looked at the young lady curiously, ignoring the maid. She was dressed very strangely. She wore trousers, for one, of some dark blue tough material, and some sort of wooly top that covered her neck. Her footwear was also strange. they were the oddest pair of sandals he had ever seen. Then his eyes went to her face and his eyes widened with surprise. She was beautiful. Her hair, wavy and of a lustrous indigo color, framed her fair, heart-shaped face very prettily, and her eyes. they were silver in color. Most intriguing. The emperor almost smiled. She was almost as beautiful as he. The girl did not take kindly to her maid's interruption. "Look, Eri, my name is not Houki! I told you that one time too many times now!" Her gaze returned to the emperor. "Your highness, will you please describe those girls to me?" With some curiosity, he heard the note of desperation in her voice. He nodded and looked to his aghast advisors. "Describe them." He ordered them. The older courtier recovered first. "H-hai! The one who shone with a red light. she had brown hair and brown eyes. she also wore some sort of brown uniform." The emperor nodded, silently telling him to go on. "The other two girls. The ice demon." "Ice demon?" "Hai, the ice demon had short light brown hair, and green eyes, according to one of the soldiers who survived. The fire demon had strange, foreign hair, and violet eyes." The girl drew in a sharp breath. "The second girl. the fire demon. was her hair. red-gold?" "Hai, that's what he said." Kathryn trembled. Her sisters.. and Miaka? "And their clothes. were they like mine?" The other advisor, observing the girl's clothes. "Come to think of it. he also mentioned one of them wearing something that looks like your trousers." The girl was breathless with relief at the sound of that, but the younger advisor looked aghast. "You! You're with them!" Kathryn nodded eagerly. "Yes! Yes, I am!" She looked to the emperor. "Hotohori-san. I know what you're thinking, and it's true." Her silver eyes gleamed with desperation. The emperor's eyes widened. How had she known his name? His seishi name? "Hotohori-san, those girls. one of them is the Suzaku no Miko! Just as you suspected!" Hotohori frowned. He couldn't believe it. Had she read his mind? "And the rest of them?"
"The boy is Tamahome, a Suzaku seishi like yourself. The two other girls. are my sisters." Her eyes were shining. "My name is Kathryn." "Who are you?" Her eyes flashed. "I told you. My name is Kathryn. But my seishi name is. Shoshi." "Shoshi?!"
"How is that possible?" Hotohori wanted to know. Kathryn sweatdropped. "Uh.." Talk about loaded questions. You trained for years under Taittsukun. Once your training was over, you returned to your world, and your memory of this world was wiped clean. You have been summoned to serve Byakko, to right the balance of this world. I have? Yes. Kathryn shrugged. "Er.. I trained under Taittsukun years ago.." "Taittsukun?" Everyone in the world exclaimed. Kathryn nodded. "Er.. once I had completed training, I returned to my world with my sisters and my memory of this world was wiped clean. I have.. been summoned to serve Byakko.. to right the balance of this world." "Byakko?" Hotohori frowned. "Then why do you come to me?" Kathryn bit her lip and tried to remember all that her father had told her. "I have come to request your aid. When the first Byakko no Miko returned to her world, she left one wish ungranted. I have been made the second Byakko no Miko to summon Byakko once more to have the third wish granted. I come to you.. because.. uh.." Suzaku offered his seishi's service to me. When they go to Sairo, you will go with them. But do not tell him that. Tell him only that Suzaku offered Byakko the services of his seishi. Kathryn scratched her head in agitation. "Okay.. Suzaku offered Byakko the services of his seishi..?" Hotohori leaned back on his throne. "Is that so..?" Korin frowned. "But that still doesn't answer one thing." Hotohori looked at the purple-haired palace courtesan. "And what's that?"
Korin looked hard at Kathryn. "She is not Houki. Then where is my friend?" Kathryn looked up at the ceiling. Well, dad? Care to answer this one, too?
Her father's voice was deep with regret. She is gone. In the future, she would have died.. killing the children still alive in her womb. That is why her spirit asked me to replace her past self with someone stronger.. someone who would live long enough to give birth to her future children.. Kathryn was still with shock. She didn't know what to.. say.. "Shoshi?" Korin hurried to the foreigner as she fell. "What's happened..?" Kathryn stared at the ground. "Houki.. is.. Houki.. is.. gone.."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Kathryn whispered. "Why..?" Her father didn't answer.
Chapter 2
"Houki-sama. Houki-sama."
Kathryn didn't want to wake up. What a lovely dream.. And who was Houki? She turned over and smiled tearfully at the memory of her father's voice. Daddy..
"Houki-sama. You have a letter, Houki-sama."
Kathryn groaned. She didn't want to wake up. And she wasn't Houki! And who was talking to her anyway? The voice wasn't familiar. She cracked open one eye. "Who-Who is it?"
The maid sighed with relief. "It's a letter from your hometown, Houki-sama."
Kathryn closed her eyes again. "I'm not Houki." She muttered irritably.
The maid blinked. "Is something wrong, Houki-sama?"
Kathryn groaned and sat upright in bed. "For the last time, my name isn't Houki! It's - What the hell?!?!"
"Houki-sama! Your hair!" The dark-haired maid gasped in wonder. "It's blue!"
Kathryn didn't pay her any attention. She stared in shock at the beautiful room she was in. She was in a bed of silver and purple and blue.. and her maid. She stared. She had dark hair gracefully pinned up with a pair of what looked like red chopsticks and was dressed in a very simple yet elegant pink kimono embroidered with red and white leaves. Kathryn felt faint. Holy freakin' cow! "Where am I?" She demanded in a shaken, scared voice.
The maid sweatdropped. "Houki-sama? Do you need to rest some more?" She then gaped as she realized the color of Kathryn's eyes. They were silver! She rubbed her eyes and hurried to open the screen door. It must be the light!, she decided worriedly.
Kathryn stared as the screen door was opened and revealed the setting of a Chinese palace before her. She started shaking. "Where am I?"
Someone chuckled deeply in her mind. You are home, my daughter.
Almost immediately, Kathryn relaxed. Daddy? She called out for him in a tentative whisper.
I am here, my little kitten. You are home and I am here with you.
"Eri! Is something wrong?" A passing maid asked the disgruntled servant.
Eri nodded. "Hai! Something is wrong with Houki-sama! Her coloring has gone all - crazy! Please, fetch the doctor!"
"H-Hai!"
"Houki-sama! Do not worry! I will call Korin at once! She'll help us!" Eri rushed out of the room and closed the screen door behind her.
Kathryn looked around the room, looking for her father. "Daddy? Where are you?"
Right here. Suddenly, before her, several white lights surfaced and suddenly, he was there! A tall man, with long flowing white hair and garbed in an imperial white and black robe, was there standing before her bed.
Kathryn's hands rose up to cover her mouth. Those black eyes.. it was really.. him. Daddy?
The man glowed with an ethereal white and silver light as he moved to Kathryn's bedstead. My dear child.. are you well?
Kathryn couldn't stop the tears from flowing. "Daddy!"
"I am where?" Kathryn asked, wiping her face with her sleeve.
In the Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho. Do you remember the book Keisuke told you of? You are in the book. The man told her gently.
Kathryn smiled at the gentle look in her father's eyes. He was alive.. she had always believed.. She shook her head and returned to the matter at hand with a trembling smile. "Yes.. I remember. Then I am really in the book? At the beginning?"
The man nodded. Hai. I brought you here.. not only to reunite us.. but to ask you to do something for me.
Kathryn cocked her head, puzzled. "What?"
It was the only way I could manage to have you back with me. You are at the beginning for a reason. Do you remember what your friend told you of the Byakko no Miko?
Kathryn frowned thoughtfully. "I think.. she summoned Byakko.. didn't she?"
The man nodded. She did and she was a wonderful miko.. but she her third wish.. do you remember it?
Kathryn nodded slowly. "Hai."
She wished to be together with her lover, Tatara. Although I would have gladly agreed, it was not in my power to do so. I could not grant that wish. And so the third wish remains ungranted. That is why you are here.
Kathryn frowned again. "Why?"
You will be the second Byakko no Miko.
Kathryn stared. "No way!"
The man suddenly stiffened and turned. I must go. Call me again later and I will come. You must be alone. I will explain more then. In the meantime, find your sisters.
Kathryn stiffened. "Th-They're here?"
Yes, and although I am confident of Suzaku's manners, I am not to sure of Genbu's. Comfort them, especially Samantha.
Kathryn held on to her father's arm. "Please.. don't go.." Not when she had just found him again!
The man smiled gently and kissed her on the forehead. I will never be far away, my daughter. Now that I am your father once more, I'll never let my baby go.
Kathryn smiled tearfully against her father's robe. "I love you, daddy."
The man smiled gently before disappearing in a haze of white lights. And I have always loved you, my daughter.
"Houki-sama!"
Kathryn looked up. "Yeah?" She smiled. She was speaking Chinese! How cool was that?
A woman came up from behind her maid. "You aught to get a new maid, Houki, you know. She's just told me that your coloring's gone all 'crazy'. What is she..!! Houki! What's happened to you?!" The purple-haired woman shrieked.
Kathryn frowned. "Who are you?" She touched her hair. "And what's wrong with my hair?" She lifted a strand and promptly screamed. "BLUE?!?" Her hair was blue!!!!!
The purple-haired woman ventured closer. "Sugoi.. and your eyes.."
Kathryn was almost afraid to ask. "What about them?"
The woman frowned. "They're silver."
Kathryn almost slumped with relief. Her eyes were normal then, thank the stars. "Geez, you scared me, you know."
The woman's frown deepened. "Is something wrong, Houki? You're acting.. different."
Kathryn sighed. "Must I say it again? I'm not Houki."
The woman arched a brow. "And I'm not beautiful. Right."
"Really, I'm not Houki!"
"Uh-huh."
Kathryn sweatdropped. This was going to be harder than she thought.
"And what's with your clothes?" The woman continued on curiously.
Kathryn looked down and almost smiled. She was still in her own clothes. The woman felt her forehead. "Are you ill?"
"I.. don't think so.. why?"
The woman sighed. "It you're not trying to suffocate yourself with wool, then I don't know what you're doing."
Kathryn finally understood. She was referring to her wool sweater! "Er.. I can explain."
"You'd better." The woman agreed.
Kathryn didn't know where to start. "Okay. Here I go. My name is not Houki. It's Kathryn. Kathryn Smith."
"Ka-shi-rin Sumi-su?" The woman wrinkled her nose. "Your stories get stranger every day, Houki."
Exasperated, Kathryn insisted, "My name is not Houki! It's Kathryn! Kate for short." Your seishi name is Shoshi. Kathryn smiled and closed her eyes. Her father's love filled her heart and made her warm. "My.. seishi name is Shoshi."
"Right." The woman said dubiously.
Kathryn ignored her. You have been sent by Byakko to fulfill your destiny and complete your soul. You will require Konan's aid. Kathryn's eyes widened with wonder. "I have been sent by Byakko.. and I will need to speak with the emperor.."
At that the woman burst out laughing. Kathryn stared at her with confusion. "Nani?"
The woman chuckled long after she finished laughing. "That was a good one, Houki. Real good."
Kathryn sweatdropped. Just how many times was she supposed to tell her..?
The woman wiped away her tears. "Really.. it's really something.. the way we make things up just to be admitted to see the emperor. That was really something, Houki." She started laughing all over again.
Kathryn sweatdropped. "I wasn't making everything up!"
Even her father sounded exasperated. Lower your wooly neckline, daughter. That'll teach them.
Kathryn didn't know what she was doing, but she was willing to do just about anything to get the woman to stop laughing. "Look! I'll prove it!" She lowered her neckline.
The woman stopped laughing immediately. After a long moment, the woman said, "Okay, start talking. Now I know you're definitely not Houki.." She narrowed her eyes. "So you could either be who you say you are: Shoshi; or a demon."
Kathryn sweatdropped. This wasn't good.
"I'm telling you, I really need to see the emperor!" Kathryn shouted at the guards.
The guards shook their heads. "I'm sorry, but he will not see you!"
Kathryn bristled. "How dare you speak for the emperor! Now I need to see him, and I need to see him NOW!"
"Houki-san.." Eri had dropped the -sama now in her distress. "Surely you cannot be serious.."
Kathryn's father was also infuriated by now. How dare they! I am going to activate your first power now, Katie. Use it well.
Kathryn frowned. Power?
"No, we cann-!" One of the guards yelped, "Demon!!"
Kathryn cocked her head. "Huh?"
Korin stared up at her. "Okay, now you're freaking me out.."
With shock, Kathryn realized she was floating off the ground! "Woah, now!"
They will not let you through. Find another entrance.
Kathryn felt like crying. "But I'm afraid of heights!!" She whimpered.
Her father sighed. You will have to lose that fear, daughter, for you have the power to fly.
At that, Kathryn blinked. "Fly?" She echoed with disbelief.
Indeed.
Kathryn's face suddenly broke into a wide smile. "Coolness!"
"Aaah!"
The emperor jumped as something crashed through the window in the darker parts of his throne room. "Nani?" His advisor yelped.
"Houki-sama!!"
The advisor sweatdropped. "Must be another love letter." He muttered uncomfortably. When would that Korin stop?! Her antics were beginning to be unbearable! Clearing his throat, he continued, "Your highness," He bowed his head low. "May I speak?"
The shadowed emperor inclined his head minutely. The advisor nodded. "I beseech you, your highness, sentence the girl and the boy to death. The girl gave off a red light and disappeared. And the two other girls.. they are responsible for the deaths of six of your soldiers. It is obvious they are involved with the girl and the boy. They might be demons!" He bowed again. "Your highness, please!"
Kathryn listened intently to the advisor's plea. Korin and Eri tried to get in the window after her. She smiled. But it was too high up to climb. Then, to her surprise, she heard the emperor speak. "Matte. The clothes.. of the three girls.. were foreign. There must be some reason behind it."
Kathryn stiffened. "Demo.." The advisor protested.
"Matte!" Kathryn stepped into the light. The emperor and the two courtiers turned to stare at her.
Another maiden servant rushed into the room at that moment. "Houki- san! Why did you take off like that?" Then she realized where she was and gasped. "Houki-san, what are you doing in here?!" She sounded horrified.
Kathryn was disgruntled. How many times did she have to tell her?!
The emperor looked at the young lady curiously, ignoring the maid. She was dressed very strangely. She wore trousers, for one, of some dark blue tough material, and some sort of wooly top that covered her neck. Her footwear was also strange. they were the oddest pair of sandals he had ever seen. Then his eyes went to her face and his eyes widened with surprise. She was beautiful. Her hair, wavy and of a lustrous indigo color, framed her fair, heart-shaped face very prettily, and her eyes. they were silver in color. Most intriguing. The emperor almost smiled. She was almost as beautiful as he. The girl did not take kindly to her maid's interruption. "Look, Eri, my name is not Houki! I told you that one time too many times now!" Her gaze returned to the emperor. "Your highness, will you please describe those girls to me?" With some curiosity, he heard the note of desperation in her voice. He nodded and looked to his aghast advisors. "Describe them." He ordered them. The older courtier recovered first. "H-hai! The one who shone with a red light. she had brown hair and brown eyes. she also wore some sort of brown uniform." The emperor nodded, silently telling him to go on. "The other two girls. The ice demon." "Ice demon?" "Hai, the ice demon had short light brown hair, and green eyes, according to one of the soldiers who survived. The fire demon had strange, foreign hair, and violet eyes." The girl drew in a sharp breath. "The second girl. the fire demon. was her hair. red-gold?" "Hai, that's what he said." Kathryn trembled. Her sisters.. and Miaka? "And their clothes. were they like mine?" The other advisor, observing the girl's clothes. "Come to think of it. he also mentioned one of them wearing something that looks like your trousers." The girl was breathless with relief at the sound of that, but the younger advisor looked aghast. "You! You're with them!" Kathryn nodded eagerly. "Yes! Yes, I am!" She looked to the emperor. "Hotohori-san. I know what you're thinking, and it's true." Her silver eyes gleamed with desperation. The emperor's eyes widened. How had she known his name? His seishi name? "Hotohori-san, those girls. one of them is the Suzaku no Miko! Just as you suspected!" Hotohori frowned. He couldn't believe it. Had she read his mind? "And the rest of them?"
"The boy is Tamahome, a Suzaku seishi like yourself. The two other girls. are my sisters." Her eyes were shining. "My name is Kathryn." "Who are you?" Her eyes flashed. "I told you. My name is Kathryn. But my seishi name is. Shoshi." "Shoshi?!"
"How is that possible?" Hotohori wanted to know. Kathryn sweatdropped. "Uh.." Talk about loaded questions. You trained for years under Taittsukun. Once your training was over, you returned to your world, and your memory of this world was wiped clean. You have been summoned to serve Byakko, to right the balance of this world. I have? Yes. Kathryn shrugged. "Er.. I trained under Taittsukun years ago.." "Taittsukun?" Everyone in the world exclaimed. Kathryn nodded. "Er.. once I had completed training, I returned to my world with my sisters and my memory of this world was wiped clean. I have.. been summoned to serve Byakko.. to right the balance of this world." "Byakko?" Hotohori frowned. "Then why do you come to me?" Kathryn bit her lip and tried to remember all that her father had told her. "I have come to request your aid. When the first Byakko no Miko returned to her world, she left one wish ungranted. I have been made the second Byakko no Miko to summon Byakko once more to have the third wish granted. I come to you.. because.. uh.." Suzaku offered his seishi's service to me. When they go to Sairo, you will go with them. But do not tell him that. Tell him only that Suzaku offered Byakko the services of his seishi. Kathryn scratched her head in agitation. "Okay.. Suzaku offered Byakko the services of his seishi..?" Hotohori leaned back on his throne. "Is that so..?" Korin frowned. "But that still doesn't answer one thing." Hotohori looked at the purple-haired palace courtesan. "And what's that?"
Korin looked hard at Kathryn. "She is not Houki. Then where is my friend?" Kathryn looked up at the ceiling. Well, dad? Care to answer this one, too?
Her father's voice was deep with regret. She is gone. In the future, she would have died.. killing the children still alive in her womb. That is why her spirit asked me to replace her past self with someone stronger.. someone who would live long enough to give birth to her future children.. Kathryn was still with shock. She didn't know what to.. say.. "Shoshi?" Korin hurried to the foreigner as she fell. "What's happened..?" Kathryn stared at the ground. "Houki.. is.. Houki.. is.. gone.."
"Why didn't you tell me?" Kathryn whispered. "Why..?" Her father didn't answer.