Written by: Hoshihikari4ever
Disclaimer: I finally noticed I forgot to put one. Whops! Just to let you guys know, none of this belongs to me. I don't own anything!
Summary:
Sequel to The Untold Legend (please read that)
Only two of her Seishi remain. Seiryuu is forever sealed. Miaka takes on the heavy burden of being both empress and Miko. Everything seems to be going smoothly. Hopes of summoning Suzaku rise again. However when a mysterious person shows up at the palace, disasters begin to strike. Dark secrets of the past are revealed…ones, which were meant to remain hidden forever. Now with his secret revealed… the whole Universe of Four Gods is thrown of course… the whole story is forever altered.
Spoilers Warning: Just to be safe…everything…including side stories…major spoiler from the following: Suzaku Hi Den ( Hotohori's Gaiden novel…I've only read the summary), Seiran Den (Nagako's Gaiden Novel), end of episode 52, Eikoden
Please Read and Review!
Parings: Miaka /Hotohori Miaka / Shou Tendo
Chapter 8 A past like no other
Hotohori stalked back and forth, his arms behind her back. In front of him was a large mirror, one that reflected everything that Miaka did. Behind him, was Taiitsukun.
"Alright! Taiisukun! That's enough! When are you going to send me back to Miaka…you sent all the other Seishi…." He shouted in a very frustrated voice. The oracle shook her head. "Not yet…patience my Emperor…patience….you cannot make any foolish moves…It's best you see the whole picture before I send you back to Miaka….that way you would be prepared…it what come as a shock to you…."
Hotohori glanced at the mirror that currently reflected Miaka and Shou Tendo sitting tenderly next to the lake, within the palace, his arm wrapped about her. Jealousy flashed across his face. "God dam it Taiitsukun, what the hell am I waiting for…what is there that I need to know before I can be reunited with her. I can't just sit here and wait any longer…especially with him…Shou Tendo…with him and Miaka and….I hate this…What if…what if he makes a move on her….?" The emperor spat out the name. Taiitsukun sighed. "You will find out shortly, just wait…I'm sure Miaka won't let him make a move on her…." The emperor glared at the Creator.
"You're making no sense to me Taiitsukun. All that matters to me right now is to be with Miaka….now are you going to transport me back there or not…I don't care what you think is so important and that I should know…Besides if its that important then why won't you tell me…that makes it much simpler…." "I can't explain it…I don't think you'll believe me…You must see it…to understand…" Hotohori groaned. "Try me…" "No…" "Very well, I think I'll find out sooner or later… and if I don't it'll just prove that its not important and that you've wasted my time…"
The Oracle started intently at the remaining Senshi. "If you insist to find out the hard way…fine by me. Besides…if I didn't think this was important…I wouldn't interfere…but I see now…yes I see now you'll just run blindly into a brick wall and end up dead….fine…if fate had it that way from the start…then I can do nothing about it…Anyways…it's a fact that you will find out…after all there is no way to hide from yourself…the truth will eventually come to light…I'm just doing a good deed….trying to lessen it's impact…but I see now my efforts have gone to waste… " Taiitsukun stared intently into the man before her. The emperor gave her an irritated look, obvious not interested in what she thought. Your stubbornness, your pride…and everything else about you Hotohori….have blinded you from the truth…"
"What truth?" "That, I cannot tell you…." "Then why bother showing me…." "It's for your own good …Can't you see I'm here to help…" "Here to help?" Hotohori shouted those words. "Here to help? You've wasted my time…now are you going to send me back to Miaka or not…." "Yes I will, but after you see and hear and learn about what I have to show you…" The emperor turned away from her, and pounded his fist on the mirror. "If I'm going to find out anyways…why can't you let me find out then…." "Do you want to find out when it's too late….Does Miaka mean more to you then your own life….does she mean more to you then your name and your own future…can you live with the truth… would you risk your future generations being looked down upon…no longer superior to all but the Gods above, but being inferior and forever tinted and disgrace by your name….by who you are…what you did…what you will become…." Hotohori tapped his fingers on the mirror, waiting for the Creator to finish.
"Yes…" he replied atomically, without even thinking twice. "Yes….as long as I can be with Miaka…I will give up everything…everything for her sake…for sake and our future…." "What if there was no future with the Miko…only disaster…" "Yes…as long as I can spend a day with her…to be able to hold her…to be able to embrace her one last time…even if it's just an hour or so….every year, every month, every day, every hour, every minute, every second that I can spend with her, I will forever treasure it. Even if it was just a second…to be able to grant a second chance…I will take it….I will pay the price…whatever it is…I will pay for it afterwards….Miaka means everything to me…" Taiisukun listened intently. "I don't know what you're trying to show me…trying to tell me….but Taiitsukun…even if disaster falls throughout Konan…or if I am shunted away by everyone else… or if my later generations are to live in poverty at ones disposal then so be it….as long as I get to be with Miaka for one more day….for more hour….I will pay the price with no regrets…please Taiitsukun…please understand…you've got to send me back…"
"With no regrets….?" "No regrets…" "Hotohori…I cannot tell you the future….even if I want to….just heed my warning…. Disaster will once again fall upon Konan…know your own abilities…and most importantly don't let your emotions overcome the truth and make some foolish mistake…" The emperor nodded. "Very well, I shall not take up more of your precious time…just remember what I said…" Taiisukun stared at the Seishi once more before transporting him back to Konan.
* * *
"Miaka….would you marry me?" Miaka was taken a back at the question. "Marry you, but you're my Aniki….I can't. I do like you a lot…." "What if I wasn't your brother, would you marry me then?" Slowly she shook his head. "I'm sorry, Shou Tendo. I like you a lot, you mean more to me then a brother does, but, I can't…" "Why?" "because…there's only one man who my heart, my body and soul is reserved for, and that person is not you…Gomen nasai…." Shou Tendo placed on a hurt expression. Miaka walked up and held his hands. He suddenly twisted his hands, and held hers instead. With a fling of his wrist, he threw her to the floor. Miaka was shocked and surprised. Slowly the man approached her. "You see Miaka….." his face contorted, and she saw the same cold hearted man which she met the first time. "You see Miaka…." He began again. "I don't think you have a choice…you will marry me, and you will bear my son….I will become emperor…."
Miaka stared at him with dread. She watched as he approached her. Finally he loamed above her. Grabbing her by her wrist, he lifted her up and set her on the bed. "Miaka, I don't want to hurt you. In fact it hurts me, to hurt you…all I want is the emperor….now will you marry me or not…" he asked once more. "No…" Miaka gritted her teeth. "I don't love you that way. I won't let you force me into something I don't want to do…" she paused. "Now, if you try to force it, I'm afraid, I'll have to hurt you to, something which I also not want to do. I've grown to know you and to respect you. I don't want to hurt you either….but if that is what it comes down to, then yes I will…" Shou Tendo gave her a wicked smile. "It's amusing very amusing…." He paused. "I will give you time to think it over…but I need the answer today…just remember I will not take a 'no' for an answer…In the end I will get what I want. He glanced at her once more before he headed outside, leaving Miaka alone.
* * *
In one of the far off villages, one that border Kuto, a man appeared out of thin air.
Hotohori blinked and found himself inside an old, dimly lit hut. He used his eyes to swept across the room and took in his surroundings. From the looks of it, no one had lived here for a long, long time. Dust, and dirt covered the floor. On the far end, opposite the door was a cold, hard bed. In the center of the room was a single table with two chairs. Somehow everything seemed awfully familiar. Walking around the room in a circle, he looked closely at everything. As he approached the bed, he noticed children toys, baby toys, covered with dust. Brushing his finger on one of them, he noticed that it was a bird, a crimson red one. Picking it up, he examined it closely, noting that there were faded words stitched on the left side of its neck. Squinting hard, he thought he could make out the symbol 'sei' and the first three letters "Sai". There were more, but he could not make them out. At this point Hotohori's heart thumped hard, he was filled with confusion and curiosity. Somehow, he felt that this toy meant something special to him.
* * *
Not ten minutes had passed before the door opened again. Miaka withdrew on the bed as she saw Shou Tendo enter once more, followed closely by an old women in her late 50's (yes I'm changing the age, I am well aware that I said 40's before in another chapter, but I find that too young, it still does not affect the story too much) with jet black hair.
"Miaka…so have you decided yet…." "I told you…no I will not marry you…" "Well then, I guess I'll have to change that…and this women Maya shall help me…" Miaka studied the women from head to toe. In a way, she did resemble Hotohori. "Nice to meet you…" she spoke to the older women, in a cold harsh voice, not really wanting to meet someone who was going to help Shou Tendo gain what he wanted. Maya smiled and bowed slightly. Miaka turned to the man before her. "and how might she persuade me to marry you…." "Let's start with this…the simple fact that this is Hotohori's biological mother…."
* * *
After a long time, Hotohori finally place down the toy, that is after he had dust off the dirt and made it look new, that is after he was satisfied with the appearance of the bird. As he placed the stuff animal down, he noticed another stuffed animal that attracted his attention. He too picked it up and examined it closely. It was a dragon, a blue dragon, which seem to glare fiercely at him. He was about to throw it off, when he too notice a symbol and writing on it, this time located on the forehead. Though faded, the symbol and words could be seen clearer then the one on the bird. "Spirit" and the word "Ayuru" was there. This trigger something in Hotohori's mind. The image of the Kuto shogun with a smirk flashed through him. He didn't know who or what Ayuru was or what it meant, but the symbol "spirit" definitely rung a bell, and the only person he knew that carried it was Nagako.
* * *
Miaka stared at the two with unbelieving ears. She was not going to take in anything the two said. In fact, she thought that Shou Tendo was using this to threaten her in some way, just to get what he wanted.
"Ya know Tendo, Hotohori told me about his mother….and to my knowledge she's dead…." Miaka spoke in a matter of fact tone. The man chuckled. "Did he now…well let me help clarify things up…the women, no the pervious empress, my mother, is not the mother of your lover…nor was his father my father….the previous emperor of Konan."
Now, Miaka was highly confused, and did not understand a word he had just told her. Shou Tendo sighed. "In simpler words…" the man was highly irritated. "who Hotohori thought was his mother and father was actually not his biological parents….in fact to my knowledge, not a single, I repeat, not a single drop of royal blood run in his veins…the man who you and the rest of the world thought was emperor, is actually the son of a peasant…a…" Miaka waived him off and he fell silent. "Lies! Lies! You can't just make up a story…." "This isn't a story, and I did not make it up." "You have no proof…you think…you think you can make me believe something that isn't true…." "It is true…." Maya spoke softly. "It was written in the stars…it was prophesied…" she paused. "Have you, have you heard of Suzaku village…." Miaka's face darkened at that. "Yes I have…" the empress replied coolly. "and have you heard, the prophecy of this land…" "Yes…Chichiri….he told me…what…what…what does that have to do with anything….?" "Everything…" Maya spoke again. Miaka looked between the two, her eyes darting from each one, finally landing on Shou Tendo. "Do you know the story or the truth behind the prophecy,,," "No…its hazy…my Seishi has no clue…all they knew was something happened about 20 years ago in that part of Konan…" "Yes…true…very true...as a matter of fact….I myself am not sure…" the man said, his eyes landing on Maya. "After all, I was sent out of the palace, and forced to live a common life, at the age of seven, after I had accidentally eased dropped on a certain conversation between my mother and this women…." He paused. "It was because of you Maya…you…you ruined my chance of ever becoming emperor!!"
* * *
Hotohori finally placed down the toy, and continued walking through the hut, unknown to him was that a pair of blue eyes was watching his every move, studding him, taking in his slightest action. Hotohori after having a thorough inspection, he went to the last spot, the table which was set in the center of the room. His whole body shook at what he saw laid in the center of it.
At the center, laid an ordinarily stone tablet. It was smooth on three ends, the sides and the top. On the top it was jagged, and rough. What caught his attention was how he remember owning a stone tablet, in fact the exact same one, with different words. A tablet in which he remembered carrying throughout his life.
A small cough brought the emperor back into his senses. He had no idea that he was being watched, and in being so was surprised to stare into a pair of cold blue eyes, one which belonged his rival, and nemesis, Nagako.
"My, my…Saihitei so you've finally decide to descend and mingle with the commoners." Hotohori gritted his teeth. "You've come to kill me off again?" The shogun did not reply. "I too was reincarnated in this very hut…." Hotohori gave him an unbelieving look. "and I too, like you, were also fascinated by those toys, and also with this stone tablet…" Nagako pointed first to the toys and then to the stone tablets. "and after much, much thought, I have finally came to a startling conclusion…." The shogun paused. "and to answer your first question Saihitei…I was planning on killing you, but not now…." "Why….what could you have found that would change your decision…."
"Let's begin with this." Nagako picked up the crimson bird. "Is this or did this once belong to you?" Hotohori shook his head. "Are you sure now?" "Yes…" "Then do you find it a coincidence that, one the first three letters of "Sai" is still clearly seen…" "That could have been anyone…." "No…look closely…" Nagako handed the toy to the emperor and pointed at the faded parts. "five letters….use to be there…it fits the name Saihitei…" Hotohori remained silent. "Next clue…the symbol "Sei" your symbol just so happens to be etched on the left side of the birds neck, like where the symbol appears on you…" The emperor touched his neck. "Yes…so…" "So…I've come to reason that this toy was meant to be for you…or was yours a long time ago…." "Perhaps…"
* * *
The two pairs of eyes bore into Maya…both trying to seek out the truth. "Explain…" Miaka finally said. "From the very beginning…"
Maya took in a deep breath, closed her eyes, watching everything reoccur once more before. Vivid flashes of certain scenes crossed through her mind. When she opened her eyes, a single tear rolled down her checks. "I shall start from the beginning…to a time when I was still young, around my 20's…about 30 years ago, was when everything began."
"When I was still young and naive, a little older then you are now Miaka, when I was 20, I have to admit, I was a highly beautiful women…Many men were attracted to me…However I, myself already had a lover, a young man, about 3 years older then me. We had grown up together, and as a small child, I think I was attracted to him." Maya sighed. "and since I did have a lover, I had turned down many men…for I knew and was determined that one day this man would marry me, and would live happily ever after…"
"but you didn't" Miaka interrupted. "I'm sure you didn't…" Maya nodded. "He eventually proposed to me and we married. Two years later, we had our first child" She took a deep breath. "However, however, fate did not allow such a life for us." "Why not?" " There was two reasons. The first was that during the birth of this child, a God, descended upon us…." "Was it Suzaku?" "No, he called himself Tenkou" Miaka scratched her head, she had never heard of such a God before. "and told us the path that was laid before this child…" "At first we did not believe, for both of us were loyal to Suzaku….but after Tenkou showed us some proof, we were forced to admit that this child was indeed born with a great destiny bestowed upon him. Tenkou wanted to take him away then and there, but we refused, for this was our only child. Tenkou finally agreed to come and pick him up five years later…." "So he came five years later, did you have to give away your son?" "Yes, five years later an women came and took away the child. That was the last time I ever saw him. If we had known then that his destiny would eventually make him turn his back on his own people and become a cold, manipulative man, we would have refused. Yet during that time, we did not know, we were proud, and naive, both of us agreed that if this was his path then he must follow it…" "So you were forever separated?" "Yes…forever separated…..of course now and then we heard of his deeds" "What happened to him? This child?" Shou Tendo spoke for the first time since the telling of the tale, for fear that this might be another strong enemy. "He passed away quite recently…." The man let out a sigh of relive. "I'm sorry…." Miaka spoke the words, for she really did feel sorry for this family.
"The second reason that fate did not allow us a 'happily ever after' life was that during this time, the emperor of Konan, like Hotohori is now, was of age and was searching for a bride." "You were picked for the harem?" "Yes….at first, I refused, but my husband knew the consequences, and so regretfully and willingly gave me up." "Tragic…I'm sure if it was Hotohori…he would have understood and wouldn't have had that…He wouldn't have done anything like that…." "No…I'm sure he would not….but my life, everyone, and anything that had to do with me was forever changed after I was sent to live in the harem…."
* * *
Nagako then went on to the other toy, the one of the blue dragon. He handed to Hotohori. "Have you figured out who this toy belongs to?" "You right? I recognize that symbol… 'Sprit' it glows on your forehead, symbolizing you as Seiryuu no seishi Nagako…" "Hai...very observant indeed…" "May I ask Nakago…who or what was Ayuru?" Nakago took in a deep breath. "That was my name…a name which I used a long, a long time ago…the name of a different man, one who died a very long time ago indeed…." Hotohori looked at the man before him, and placed a hand on the other's shoulder. The shogun took in a deep breath. "I shall tell you a story Saihitei…the story of Ayuru…and how he became the man as you know today…the man name Nakago…" "Why are you telling me this….I do not understand…" "because you must first comprehend and thoroughly understand me before you make your final decision later…one that will change both our futures forever. After all the stone tablet on the table binds us together in ways that you would not have thought possible…"
"I was born here…in this very hut…25 years ago…" Nakago sat down on one chair. Hotohori sat on the opposite end, the table between them. "Back then, I was a very different person. Back then, I've known how to love, I was unconditionally loved by my parents. My first five years of life, was my happiest ever. I had my mother, my father and this toy….." Hotohori remained silent, Nakago's behavior surprised him in the very least. He never knew, never thought such a cold, manipulative man would have known how to love, even in the slightest ways. "I was happy, and like any other boy, any other child. Never dreaming, never knowing that my destiny was set before me. During this time, I thought this happiness would last, this love would last. How I was wrong. How I was so wrong." The shogun used one finger and played with the dragon. "On my fifth birthday, my life changed forever. A women, a stranger came to this very hut. She had come for me. She spoke of a God, Tenkou…" "Tenkou, the devil, the God who the Hin tribe worshiped, those foreigners who lived on the outskirts of Kuto's border?" Nakago looked up, straight into the golden brown eyes. "Yes….the very God, who I would worship later, the Devil who made my life a living hell!" The shogun pounded the table. "However I did not know at the time. I was young, and still new to the world. This woman, she mentioned a deal that my parents had with this Devil. After much resistance, my parents finally gave in, and so I was separated, separated forever from the people who cared for me, I was separated forever, and never again would I ever meet them…. From that day forth, my life would be changed forever" Hotohori closed his eyes, and listened silently to the past life of the shogun, a past which he did not believe such a man could have, a past in which he did not think could ever had been part of anyone's life.
* * *
"I lived in the palace for almost 5 years…." Mayo continued. "Unlike Hotohori, the previous emperor visited the harem very often. I was one of 6 women who were selected by the emperor." "He had…had more then one wife?" Miaka cut in. "Yes…." Shou Tendo rolled his eyes. "and that is why my sibling are only half….half brother or half sister…same father different mother…." The man spoke gruffly.
"Technically…he only had 5, for I was not married to the emperor….However….the emperor and my relationship was the closest and the most fervent of them all…" Miaka gave a confused look. "We were lovers….it's just that we were not married….and I think, even still, the others envied me a lot….especially, especially his mother…." Maya jerked her head towards Tendo.
"I still do not understand…if you were lovers, and you had such a close relationship, and you were chosen from the harem, then why…why did you not marry him…" "Simply because…I was already married and had already bore a child to another man…." "That never stopped any emperor that I knew of…." "No, of course not….the emperor nor his men did not mind, however I did. I really and truly loved this man, this emperor with all my heart….however I still regretted cheating of my first and only true lover. This emperor, no matter what he did, no matter what he tried, I was only bound to one man, and that was not him…."
Miaka listen silently. The relationship sounded much like her own one between Hotohori and Tamahome. No matter what Hotohori did, no matter how he tried, she was only bound to one man, and that was Tamahome….well at least that was true before the deaths….
"Quite understandable….but unless that emperor was like Hotohori….he would not understand…." Maya smiled. "At first he did not understand….he did not understand why or how I would rather live such a low life with a man barely able to support himself instead of living a life of luxury." "Men, they never understand…" Miaka grumbled beneath her breath. "Still, as time wore on, as 5 years slowly crept closer…our relationship grew stronger…and closer…to the point where…. 'As long as you are happy, then I would be happy too' to the point where 'I would give up anything…. everything for your sake….' Miaka, do you know what I mean?" "Yes…I understand…my Seishi and I, well we share a similar bond…" Maya nodded. "Yes, and it was because of this, that we've finally parted, and took our separate roads…for he, this emperor saw to it, that it was hurting me really badly…and that even though I loved him, he could never truly win my heart…." "So…so he let you leave…" "Yes…after 5 long years…I was finally allowed to return to my home village…to return to the life which I previously knew, to return to the man who I loved so deeply." "He just gave you up?" Miaka asked. "Just like Hotohori…he gave me up to Tamahome…stepped aside so that I could be happy…." Maya smiled. "Yes, that just shows how truly and deeply my son loved you…." She paused. "Anyways…let everyone else I thought that this was this end. I never thought, never again would I be pulled into such matters, or get tangle up in matters like these….How wrong I was. This, as time would later tell, was only the beginning…."
* * *
"For the rest of my life, until I actually went and lived in Kuto's palace…I was forced to call this women, the women who forced me away from my family, my 'mother'." The shogun's voice was filled with hatred and love, something which confused the emperor greatly. "For the next five years, my life stared to become a downhill, started to lead to the man I am today. I lived with the Hin tribe, which as you might know was always looked down upon by those in Kuto. We were mistreated and thought of as filth by the outside world. The darkness was beginning to grow within me. What added to this, that made my life worst was that I was even shunted away by those members in my own tribe. I was set apart from everyone else. I tried my best to fit in, but could not. I was different from the rest of the world, and so was never accepted by anyone in this world." "but your parents…those who did love you…" "I despise them Hotohori…it was because of them that I became who I was. What do you think my life would have been like if I was not given away, if I was…let me say…had a simple, normal life like everyone else….?" Hotohori remained silent.
"The Hin tribe, as I mentioned before, worshiped this God, this devil, worshiped Tenkou…" The emperor nodded to show he was still listening. "Well, as a tradition of this tribe, boys at the age of ten, were allowed to participate in lord's Omedori ceremony." "What's that…" "It is similar to a passage that boy takes to become a man….or at least that is what I think it was…I am not sure…but I would never forget that day. That day, was the first time I ever saw, or I think I saw Tenkou…." "You….you actually saw him….?" "No….I only saw a pair of the huge, pale blue eyes." "What do you mean, does he not appear, I too have heard of this ceremony. Is he not suppose to appear…" "Yes, he was, but, back then I was weak, I was innocent, but most of all, I had a pure heart. What I felt from those eyes that day was the most intense hatred that I've ever felt, then and now. Not only that, I knew that even this God, the God who I had worshiped for about five years had also turned me down, had also called me dirty and was unworthy of his mighty presence. I had made him angry." "So Tenkou turned his back on you…and so you later turned your back on him….am I correct…?" "Yes…I would eventually turn my back on everything….everyone I known…"
"Later, very soon after that, the Kuto soldiers attacked the tribe." "Was the tribe destroyed…" "That I do not know…." "Go on…" "Even though this women, my 'mother' was not actually my 'mother', I had felt an obligation towards her, like a son would to his parents. This woman had raised me. This woman
and Taria…" "Taria…? Who's that?" "She was from the Hin tribe, she was my only friend. We lived, and played together…" "I see…" "There were the only people who ever defended me from both the people of the Hin tribe and from those of Kuto. In a way we were connected and I felt that somehow I had to repay
them for their kindness…" "What did you do?" "I cannot fully recall, but I remember, that the soldiers had my 'mother' under the blade of his sword. Somehow a surge of energy came out of nowhere…" "That must have been the first time you used your chi spell…." "Yes, and it blasted apart my mother along with at least 5 other soldiers….blasted them into smithereens…" "Remind me again, this happen when you were 10?" "Eleven…." "Yet, still the same you were very powerful…." Nagako chuckled. "A compliment is a compliment….do you think you could beat me?" "I do not know…"
"So what happened next…" "Well I was captured and then brought before Shoukitei…" "Kuto's emperor?" "Yes…." "He is not a pleasant man indeed…." "No, he is not….I was brought before him. I could tell he was amused by me, said that I looked like a beautiful girl…" The shogun had placed
emphasis on the word 'beautiful', and he watched amusedly as the emperor studied him closely. "No, I fear not….perhaps maybe a bit girlish, but definitely
not as beautiful as I…" Nagako chuckled. "I've heard a lot about you and beauty…you claim to be the most beautiful man alive." "What do you mean claim, I am the most beautiful person alive…" "If you say so…" there was a mocking sense in the older man's voice.
"At the time, the men claimed to their emperor that was a Seiryuu Senshi….I did not know what they meant….all I knew was that whatever it was saved my life. I was spared from death…." "Yes….I knew Shoukitei, he is a cruel man, a dark one…" "I was made to live for the rest of my life inside Kuto's palace. . I became the emperor's toy, his plaything….do you understand….?" Nagako's voice was soft, barely above a whisper. Hotohori blinked a couple of times. "That explains a lot, the funny stuff he's done when I've met him, the way he tries to seduce me…" "You slept with him?" Nagako asked. "No, I did not, I am still…I am still pure….but you have, have you not…." "yes…but I never responded, or resisted, I was more like a rock, emotionless…." "How long….how long has this been going on…" "That is not important…." The shogun licked his lips, and bent closer to the emperor. "You say…you say you are untouched" "Ye…Yes…and I shall remain so, unlike you…my body will remain pure, pure until the time is right…." The shogun bent closer and closer, so that their faces were only inches apart. "You are waiting….you must be waiting…" "Yes…I am…all my life I've waited….waited for her to appear before me…waited for the women in my dreams….unlike you, I am only attracted to one person, and this women is the only women that I'm interested in." "The Suzaku no Miko?" "Yes…Miaka Yuki…."
"Very well…enough of that…" Nagako pulled back, much to Hotohori's relive. "Well a few months later, the emperor had called for me. This time he wanted a confirmation that I was really a Seiryuu Seishi…" "Did he…" "Yes….he threaten me…threaten me with Taria…." "I thought she died, in the explosion…" "I thought so too….but she was captured…" "What did he do…" "He made a guard pull out his sword and shove it at Taria….The emperor, said to show him his mark…" "Were you able to?" "Yes…another explosion occurred, and I found Taria dead…." The shogun's voice suddenly became cold, and he let out a cold laugh. "I should have killed Shoukitei then, but I did not. Instead I killed the last person who ever truly cared for me….From that day forth, 'Nagako' was born. The sweet and kind 'Ayruu' had died." The shogun paused. "What happened in later years, would not matter…I would strength my chi, harness it's power, meet Soi, and Tomo…I would become Kuto's general, and finally be involved with this battle between Kuto and Konan…." The two men stared at each other.
"That fateful day, that day that I killed Taria, would forever change my life, and the path which I would take. I had lost everything, my real parents who had dumped me from the beginning, my 'mother', Taria…The hatred in me would grow, so would the darkness. I would become that emotionless rock, one who could not ever truly love again… 'Ayruu' had died, 'Nagako' was born." He paused again. "The world which I had known and had once loved had turned its back on me, and so I too have turned its back on it. I swore, not even a year ago, when I was 24 that I would have my revenge. That one day I shall be God, and I shall unleash darkness throughout the world, to punish all those who had ever, ever made my life a living hell!"
* * *
"I returned and live happily in Suzaku village, with my husband." Maya continued. "My life returned to normal. Two years later, I was once again pregnant, this time with my second child…" "A second child, just out of curiosity, who was this child's father…" "My first and only true lover, the man who bore my first son…." "I see…" Miaka nodded.
"Yes, and this child's destiny too was already laid down before him…" "What do you mean?" "I mean, think of it this way…let me ask you this, do you think this is a coincidence or if it was fate…." She paused. "It just so happened that during the end of March, the emperor of Konan, his wives and a selected group of people just so happen to pass by. One of them too was pregnant, and was suppose to bear his third child…" Miaka gasped. "Since of his wives were pregnant, we let them stay with us, to live with us for the time being…" "but why would they just so happen to show up here?" "well my husband had asked, and one of the attendants said that they had just returned from a meeting with Sairo's emperor, something to do with peacemaking…Of course my husband was
suspicious but still accepted the story and asked no more…."
"So now, me and the emperor's wife were both pregnant…both living in the same house. I think his wives were jealous, because the emperor had visited me often and less of his pregnant wife, asking for my well being and not hers…" Shou Tendo scoffed. "the emperor's wife had a miscarriage." "She did? but then that means…" Mayo cut Miaka off. "at the same time, I too was giving birth. I gave birth to a son…." Miaka had a quizzical look. "the emperor at the time was not with his wife, because he was out with the others, trying to please them…He had left with his other wives, since the wives were unhappy with the thought of living in a dump….." "Duh! Your place wherever it is, is not fit for a king!" Shou Tendo cut in. Maya glared at him. "The emperor's wife called my husband to him and asked him a favor…one which he later repeated to me. She said she had a miscarriage, but was not happy with it. Instead, she wanted to take our son and pretend that it was hers and the emperor's." Miaka gasped again. "What….what…did…did…you….you…two…say…" For some reason Miaka was stuttering. "We finally agreed. We thought that our son would have a much better life, would be much better off then if we raised him ourselves. This was our boy's chance to thrive and live a life of success….So we agreed…" The two stared at Maya. "When the emperor returned, he was told that I was the one who had a miscarriage and that his wife had given birth to a son. From what I've heard from my husband who had witnessed the scene of the emperor and his wife, plus our son…he said that the moment the emperor touched the baby, a red light emitted. A bird, a phoenix, Suzaku had appeared and had blessed the child, marking him as a celestial warrior…." "Hotohori….." Maya nodded. "Yes, that was Hotohori…"
"See now? Does it not fit, all of it…the prophecy, and why his mother hated him so much?" Miaka slowly nodded, as the prophecy flooded through her. Everything became so clear, so clear that she wondered why she had not figured it out before.
On the 2nd of the fourth month
A sea serpent will be born
Marked by God
Chosen by Heaven
Switched at birth
Mistaken as a Dragon
He will rise
He will soarDestined to lead
Destined to rule
Forever a dragon
Forever a Sea Serpent
On the 2nd of the fourth month
A dragon will be born
Marked by God
Chosen by Heaven
"So you see Miaka, it is true…. this is who Hotohori is. He is nothing, he is a nobody. He does not deserve to be emperor. I shall be emperor…." Shou Tendo spoke softly. "Now, will you marry me? If you do, I swear, I will not reveal what you just have heard to the rest of the world…However if you don't, not only will I force and become emperor, I shall also spill his past to everyone…."
Miaka glance at both of them, not knowing what to do. "Can I, can I tell you tomorrow….after I have thought about it….I need some time to let this all sink in…." Shou Tendo nodded. "Very well, I shall await your decision. Tomorrow, you shall give me your answer…if you are willingly going to marry me, then just announce it to the everyone….if you are unwillingly, and have decided not to marry me, then I shall announce it, and spill the beans on Hotohori…either way, tomorrow I shall be emperor…hopefully, for the better, I hope that it would be you who will announce it…." Shou Tendo came close, took one of Miaka's hands and kissed. "Good night Miaka…" he said in that same tone, same manipulative tone he had been using on her for the last few months…"
* * *
"Nagako, I do not understand….why…why tell me this past, your past. What does that have to do with anything….?" Nagako pointed at the stone tablet in the middle of the table. Hotohori stared down at the word. "I have one too, it was sent to the palace for me, that is right before I descended onto the throne, when I was fourteen…." "Yes…I too have one….I received mines while I was in Kuto's palace, when I was 21 years of age…" Hotohori frowned. "and what does yours say?" "Tell me what yours say…" "Alright, why don't we both take it out and place it on the table…" Nagako agreed. The two men pulled out a cold stone tablet and laid them on the table. The three pieces fit together perfectly, forming its own message. The two men leaned forward and stared at the message.
"You see Saihitei, you see what it says…" Hotohori nodded. "I still do not believe it…" "Believe it or not…I think its true, the tablet was broken into smaller bits and then distributed, probably in hopes of a future reunion…" The older man's words made perfect sense. There was no other explanation. It had to be true. Nagako struck out his hand. "Now I offer you my hand of friendship…." The emperor stares down at the words. "It says we are more then friends…" "That it does, but do you think we can jump to that conclusion just yet, do you think we can really be what the tablet says, in an instant…" "No, I'm afraid we cannot. However, that is what the tablet says, and so we must strive to become it…We must set aside our differences, set aside the past that we have known, and restart…" "So you accept my hand of friendship….you do not care of the me being the man I have become?" "No, after listening to your side of the story, I understand now what you are trying to do and why you want to do it. I know that deep inside, somewhere down there Ayruu still exist…" Nagako sighed. "You are so different from men I have known. You accept me as who I was, and as who I am…not many people can do that…no one understands…" "I do…and even if we were not who we were, even if the tablets did not exist, I will still lend you my hand of friendship…" "So you accept…" "Yes…." The two shook hands.
That night, the two swore an oath, an oath to the heavens. The stars of the two leaders collided into and formed one big star. At the same time, somewhere above them, the war between phoenix and dragon ended…The two collided and formed a new God, a new beast. This beast gave its first cry of life, signaling the start of a new era.
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OK! Please everyone….let me explain this. I know some of you might be pissed at me right now…. I'm sorry I really am! I have no clue how this idea came to mind. It just popped up. Let me justify it though. This chapter is based on previously published works, the anime, manga, OVA's and of course the FY Gaiden novels. Please give this story a chance. I know the idea is relatively different, at least I haven't read another fanfic that did make Hotohori like that. Please don't hate me for it!
I spent a lot of time doing research for this chapter to make it as realistic as possible, to make the idea seem not as AU as it really is. Everything is based on 'facts' found inside the story. Hotohori's past here is based on both Houki's story in Eikoden and in Suzaku Hi Den (remember I've only read the summary). Nagako may seem slightly or a lot OC in this story, especially since I focused, and will foucus on Ayruu's side. So the chapters might contain both the Nagako we all know, and the hidden boy Ayruu within. (You actually might feel sorry for the poor guy * shrugs * ) The name Ayruu was not made up, nor was his past in this story. They are all based on episode 52 and Seiran Den. If you wish to read the Gaiden novels translated in English, then either tell me or email me, and I'll send over a link.
Once again….please don't hate me for it. Give this story a chance OK. Good. Make sure you Review!!!