*Tasuki-like voice* Hisashiburine! *ahem* Long time no see, guys! This
chapter has been almost complete for a very very long time, but, uh, I
neglected it. Gomen nasai!
Disclaimer:
Nikki: Hello everyone, it's me, the author. Starting now, I'm omnipotent. I don't own anything affiliated with Fushigi Yuugi, but. . . *pulls Hotohori from the sky*
Hotohori: *thud* OW! *swears*
Nikki: Minions, take note that this is the OLD Hotohori.
Hotohori: The more beautiful Hotohori.
Nikki: Not necessarily. Now. . .Caitlin. . . *pulls good friend from the sky*
Caitlin: *thud* OW! What the. . . .?
Nikki: You reviewed, and you know what THAT means!
Caitlin: I have to die slowly? That can't be right.
Nikki: NO! YOU GET A HUG!
Hotohori: *runs* Let's get this overwith! *hugs Caitlin*
Enjoy chapter 9!
---------------------------------------
"AH! AHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my god, stop! I. . .can't. . .breathe!!!" Hikari gasped inbetween long fits of laughter. One hand was gripping Mitsukake's arm, and the other was on her stomach. Hikari was doubled over, on her knees, laughing hysterically.
"Ano. . .Miko-sama!" the servant said awkwardly. Hikari calmed down to listen. "Please, do not be disrespectful of the sacred relics!" This sent Hikari into another fit of laughter.
"What is wrong?" Said a voice behind her. It was Hotohori, having returned from meeting with the emperor, Boushin-sama.
"I dunno what the hell she's doin'," Tasuki said. "She took one look at the stuff and cracked up."
"The sacred relics?" Hotohori asked, shocked.
"SACRED RELICS! BWAHAHAHA!" Hikari was in gales of laughter once again.
"Hikari-san, why are these so humorous?" Chiriko asked.
Hikari tried to stifle a giggle. Among the objects was one dirty sock, an old, bent English textbook, a flashlight, a bottle of rubber cement, and a stopwatch. She wondered why in the world her mother would have brought half of those things, but also realized that the people of Konan most likely had no idea what all the objects were (besides the sock, of course). Embarrassed, for some reason, the servant had left the room.
"Eheh. . .it's just that, well, those objects are not meant to be sacred."
"What are they?" Chichiri asked.
"Well, let's see. That thing, see that? It's called a stopwatch. You use it to tell how much time something takes. I have no idea why she brought it. Or that thing," she pointed again. "I don't know why she would bring rubber cement. It's used as glue. You know, to hold things together. Although by now it's definitely dried up." She shook her head. "Who knows, maybe mom liked to get high off rubber cement. . .she's always happy. . . Oh, and that's a flashlight. It provides light, like a candle. Sort of. And the textbook is for learning."
"Really?" Chiriko asked excitedly. "What does it teach?" He reached out, but then stopped himself, realizing that one could not touch the sacred objects. He turned red.
"Ah, Hikari, I meant to tell you, Boushin-sama requested your presence at his office."
"Eh?! But we just saw him!"
"No, without us."
". . .Alone?"
"That's what I meant by 'without us.'"
Hikari turned a walked towards the doorway, muttering things like 'Oh god' quietly to herself. She stopped. "Oh yeah, um. . .can someone show me where it is?"
"Yes, follow me," Hotohori said, walking past Hikari.
-----------------------
Once again, Hikari found herself marching through the long corridors, only this time it wasn't as large a procession. She took the silent moment to stare at the newly discovered seishi's back. She had heard so much about the Hotohori who was emperor from her mother's stories. He seemed to be the same as far as she could recall, but he was tall and carried himself as if he was a very important person, superior to most of those around him. She felt slightly intimidated.
"How is Miaka?" Hotohori said, slowing down next to her and breaking the silence. "And Tamahome?"
"Okaa-san and Otou-san are fine. Thank you."
"You look a lot like your mother, but you certainly are much more quiet. Besides the laughing."
"Oh, I'm not really quiet," Hikari admitted. "Yui oba-san always said I act a lot like my father, because he likes to teach me martial arts, but it's just that I've never been in a place like this before."
"Meaning the palace?"
"Well, yes, the palace- it's enormous! I don't know how to act in a place like this! But this world is very different. It's taken some getting used to, you know."
"I'd love to hear stories about your world some time!" Hotohori said enthusiastically. "I love stories like that. Ah, here we are." He stopped at a door and knocked.
"Yes, come in," said a voice from inside. Hotohori opened the door and gave Hikari a little push inside, but did not follow, and closed the door behind her.
Hikari panicked. Inside, sitting at a desk and looking very grave was the emperor. She stuttered and bowed to him.
"Ah, Suzaku no miko, hello," he said. She noticed that he looked pretty young, but acted far more mature than he was.
"Um, how do you do," she replied quietly.
"Please, have a seat."
She felt like she was in trouble, for some odd reason. "Uh, okay. I mean, yes! Sorry!" She walked towards the desk, but there was no chair, so she folded her legs and sat on them.
"How are your mother and father?"
"They're fine, thank you."
"I hope you find a way to have Tamahome travel to our land soon. I have a fond memory of him from when I was a small child."
"Sou desu ka," Hikari replied quietly [A/N: translates to a politer "Is that so"].
"I also hope that you and your warriors will stay in the palace for the time being."
"It's, uh, not my decision to make, but I'm sure we'll gladly accept your invitation."
"Tell me, what is the shinzaho needed to summon Suzaku this time?" the emperor said, leaning forward.
"To tell the truth, I don't really know. Your highness," she added quickly at the end.
"You're very good at being so formal," the emperor said, smiling. "Please excuse all my questions. I have to admit, I was very excited to meet someone my age who was not used to knowing me as "your highness." So please, the 'your highness' is not necessary. I do not govern the priestess from another world."
"Your age? Are you my age?" Hikari said, surprised. The emperor looked a bit older than she was.
"I am eighteen years old," he replied. "Are you not of similar age?"
"Um, I'm fifteen, but. . ."
"There you have it," he said, cutting her off. "If there is anything you or the suzaku seishi need, we will see that it is taken care of. Shall I walk you back to the sacred shrine?"
Hikari panicked and looked around wildly for an escape route, but there was none. If the emperor wanted to walk side by side with her, then he would, whether she liked it or not. Boushin rose and Hikari nervously followed as he gracefully exited the room.
As they walked down the hall, Hikari felt very self-conscious. She could feel multiple pairs of eyes on them as he glided down a long, ornate hallway, and she trotted nervously to keep up with him. As they reached the two large doors to the shrine, Boushin leaned and whispered to Hikari.
"I wish you wouldn't be nervous. I only mean well. There is no need to think of me as your ruler."
Hikari stiffened, still frightened by the figure of power next to her, and nodded. Suddenly, she began to understand.
Boushin was still leaning by her ear when the two large doors swung open unnaturally quickly. On the other side was a very surprised Tasuki, with a smirking Nuriko and a timid servant behind him.
"There ya're, Hikari! Wonderin' where ya went," he said, immediately bowing to the emperor, along with those behind him. He was obviously not saying exactly what he thought, and seemed to be biting his cheek. "Your highness," he said respectfully.
"I gather you are Tasuki?" Boushin said, acknowledging him.
"Your highness," said Nuriko sweetly. "This kind servant was informing us that you are allowing us to stay in the palace. I thank you very very much."
"I hope that she will be showing you your rooms," the emperor said, smiling. "Please, be on your way." The three passed by him, and Hikari bowed to the emperor.
"Please excuse me," she said, and followed after them.
--------------------------
When they were out of earshot, Tasuki, who was walking briskly in front of all of them, grabbed Hikari's wrist and pulled her alongside of him.
Stumbling, she looked up at Tasuki, but he was still looking straight ahead, unsmiling.
"What the hell do ya think yer doin'?" he hissed in her ear.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"You don' walk next to th'emperor alone! If he don' like what 'e sees, his majesty could chop off yer head, or somethin'! Don' be so stupid. I dunno if ya have an emperor in your world or what, but. . ." he stopped abruptly as Hikari slapped him hard. They both kept walking quickly, not noticing that the two behind them had stopped to watch.
"Baka," she growled.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Yay, finished it off quickly. ^^;;; I only had the last quarter of it to finish. I'll update soon again! Thank you to Caitlin for reminding me. Eheheh.
Disclaimer:
Nikki: Hello everyone, it's me, the author. Starting now, I'm omnipotent. I don't own anything affiliated with Fushigi Yuugi, but. . . *pulls Hotohori from the sky*
Hotohori: *thud* OW! *swears*
Nikki: Minions, take note that this is the OLD Hotohori.
Hotohori: The more beautiful Hotohori.
Nikki: Not necessarily. Now. . .Caitlin. . . *pulls good friend from the sky*
Caitlin: *thud* OW! What the. . . .?
Nikki: You reviewed, and you know what THAT means!
Caitlin: I have to die slowly? That can't be right.
Nikki: NO! YOU GET A HUG!
Hotohori: *runs* Let's get this overwith! *hugs Caitlin*
Enjoy chapter 9!
---------------------------------------
"AH! AHA! AHAHAHAHAHAHA! Oh my god, stop! I. . .can't. . .breathe!!!" Hikari gasped inbetween long fits of laughter. One hand was gripping Mitsukake's arm, and the other was on her stomach. Hikari was doubled over, on her knees, laughing hysterically.
"Ano. . .Miko-sama!" the servant said awkwardly. Hikari calmed down to listen. "Please, do not be disrespectful of the sacred relics!" This sent Hikari into another fit of laughter.
"What is wrong?" Said a voice behind her. It was Hotohori, having returned from meeting with the emperor, Boushin-sama.
"I dunno what the hell she's doin'," Tasuki said. "She took one look at the stuff and cracked up."
"The sacred relics?" Hotohori asked, shocked.
"SACRED RELICS! BWAHAHAHA!" Hikari was in gales of laughter once again.
"Hikari-san, why are these so humorous?" Chiriko asked.
Hikari tried to stifle a giggle. Among the objects was one dirty sock, an old, bent English textbook, a flashlight, a bottle of rubber cement, and a stopwatch. She wondered why in the world her mother would have brought half of those things, but also realized that the people of Konan most likely had no idea what all the objects were (besides the sock, of course). Embarrassed, for some reason, the servant had left the room.
"Eheh. . .it's just that, well, those objects are not meant to be sacred."
"What are they?" Chichiri asked.
"Well, let's see. That thing, see that? It's called a stopwatch. You use it to tell how much time something takes. I have no idea why she brought it. Or that thing," she pointed again. "I don't know why she would bring rubber cement. It's used as glue. You know, to hold things together. Although by now it's definitely dried up." She shook her head. "Who knows, maybe mom liked to get high off rubber cement. . .she's always happy. . . Oh, and that's a flashlight. It provides light, like a candle. Sort of. And the textbook is for learning."
"Really?" Chiriko asked excitedly. "What does it teach?" He reached out, but then stopped himself, realizing that one could not touch the sacred objects. He turned red.
"Ah, Hikari, I meant to tell you, Boushin-sama requested your presence at his office."
"Eh?! But we just saw him!"
"No, without us."
". . .Alone?"
"That's what I meant by 'without us.'"
Hikari turned a walked towards the doorway, muttering things like 'Oh god' quietly to herself. She stopped. "Oh yeah, um. . .can someone show me where it is?"
"Yes, follow me," Hotohori said, walking past Hikari.
-----------------------
Once again, Hikari found herself marching through the long corridors, only this time it wasn't as large a procession. She took the silent moment to stare at the newly discovered seishi's back. She had heard so much about the Hotohori who was emperor from her mother's stories. He seemed to be the same as far as she could recall, but he was tall and carried himself as if he was a very important person, superior to most of those around him. She felt slightly intimidated.
"How is Miaka?" Hotohori said, slowing down next to her and breaking the silence. "And Tamahome?"
"Okaa-san and Otou-san are fine. Thank you."
"You look a lot like your mother, but you certainly are much more quiet. Besides the laughing."
"Oh, I'm not really quiet," Hikari admitted. "Yui oba-san always said I act a lot like my father, because he likes to teach me martial arts, but it's just that I've never been in a place like this before."
"Meaning the palace?"
"Well, yes, the palace- it's enormous! I don't know how to act in a place like this! But this world is very different. It's taken some getting used to, you know."
"I'd love to hear stories about your world some time!" Hotohori said enthusiastically. "I love stories like that. Ah, here we are." He stopped at a door and knocked.
"Yes, come in," said a voice from inside. Hotohori opened the door and gave Hikari a little push inside, but did not follow, and closed the door behind her.
Hikari panicked. Inside, sitting at a desk and looking very grave was the emperor. She stuttered and bowed to him.
"Ah, Suzaku no miko, hello," he said. She noticed that he looked pretty young, but acted far more mature than he was.
"Um, how do you do," she replied quietly.
"Please, have a seat."
She felt like she was in trouble, for some odd reason. "Uh, okay. I mean, yes! Sorry!" She walked towards the desk, but there was no chair, so she folded her legs and sat on them.
"How are your mother and father?"
"They're fine, thank you."
"I hope you find a way to have Tamahome travel to our land soon. I have a fond memory of him from when I was a small child."
"Sou desu ka," Hikari replied quietly [A/N: translates to a politer "Is that so"].
"I also hope that you and your warriors will stay in the palace for the time being."
"It's, uh, not my decision to make, but I'm sure we'll gladly accept your invitation."
"Tell me, what is the shinzaho needed to summon Suzaku this time?" the emperor said, leaning forward.
"To tell the truth, I don't really know. Your highness," she added quickly at the end.
"You're very good at being so formal," the emperor said, smiling. "Please excuse all my questions. I have to admit, I was very excited to meet someone my age who was not used to knowing me as "your highness." So please, the 'your highness' is not necessary. I do not govern the priestess from another world."
"Your age? Are you my age?" Hikari said, surprised. The emperor looked a bit older than she was.
"I am eighteen years old," he replied. "Are you not of similar age?"
"Um, I'm fifteen, but. . ."
"There you have it," he said, cutting her off. "If there is anything you or the suzaku seishi need, we will see that it is taken care of. Shall I walk you back to the sacred shrine?"
Hikari panicked and looked around wildly for an escape route, but there was none. If the emperor wanted to walk side by side with her, then he would, whether she liked it or not. Boushin rose and Hikari nervously followed as he gracefully exited the room.
As they walked down the hall, Hikari felt very self-conscious. She could feel multiple pairs of eyes on them as he glided down a long, ornate hallway, and she trotted nervously to keep up with him. As they reached the two large doors to the shrine, Boushin leaned and whispered to Hikari.
"I wish you wouldn't be nervous. I only mean well. There is no need to think of me as your ruler."
Hikari stiffened, still frightened by the figure of power next to her, and nodded. Suddenly, she began to understand.
Boushin was still leaning by her ear when the two large doors swung open unnaturally quickly. On the other side was a very surprised Tasuki, with a smirking Nuriko and a timid servant behind him.
"There ya're, Hikari! Wonderin' where ya went," he said, immediately bowing to the emperor, along with those behind him. He was obviously not saying exactly what he thought, and seemed to be biting his cheek. "Your highness," he said respectfully.
"I gather you are Tasuki?" Boushin said, acknowledging him.
"Your highness," said Nuriko sweetly. "This kind servant was informing us that you are allowing us to stay in the palace. I thank you very very much."
"I hope that she will be showing you your rooms," the emperor said, smiling. "Please, be on your way." The three passed by him, and Hikari bowed to the emperor.
"Please excuse me," she said, and followed after them.
--------------------------
When they were out of earshot, Tasuki, who was walking briskly in front of all of them, grabbed Hikari's wrist and pulled her alongside of him.
Stumbling, she looked up at Tasuki, but he was still looking straight ahead, unsmiling.
"What the hell do ya think yer doin'?" he hissed in her ear.
"Eh? What do you mean?"
"You don' walk next to th'emperor alone! If he don' like what 'e sees, his majesty could chop off yer head, or somethin'! Don' be so stupid. I dunno if ya have an emperor in your world or what, but. . ." he stopped abruptly as Hikari slapped him hard. They both kept walking quickly, not noticing that the two behind them had stopped to watch.
"Baka," she growled.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------
Yay, finished it off quickly. ^^;;; I only had the last quarter of it to finish. I'll update soon again! Thank you to Caitlin for reminding me. Eheheh.