CAST:
Miakaede: Kaede Rukawa (Miaka)
Tamakira: Akira Sendoh (Tamahome)
Hotosashi: Hisashi Mitsui (Hotohori)
Nurikenji: Kenji Fujima (Nuriko)
Chirikoshino: Hiroaki Koshino (Chiriko)
Chichitoru: Toru Hanagata (Chichiru)
Mitsugami: Ryoji Ikegami (Mitsukake)
Taskuragi: Hanamichi Sakuragi (Tasuki)
Yohei Mito (Reader)
Tetsuo (Reader)
Makigo: Shinichi Maki (Nakago)
Kiyuita: Kiyota Nobunaga (Yui)
Soi-ichiro: Soichiro Jin (Soi)
Miyaboshi: Ryota Miyagi (Amiboshi)
Moroboshi: Dai Morohoshi (Suboshi)
Tomoichi: Hikoichi Aida (Tomo)
Part Four
Meanwhile, in the land of Shohokuto,
"My lady, what can I do to help you? For this I cannot stand, I can't let you wander in this land where danger lies without an escort. Please tell me what can I do." Tamakira was urging Kaede.
"Scram." Came the reply.
"What is it? Do you wish me to guide you 'til you reach your destination?"
"Go to hell, Sendoh." Kaede said blankly.
"Why do you scorn the offer of a man who has found joy the moment he beheld thy grace?" Tamakira asked, hurt was his tone. Kaede didn't speak nor did he seem to hear this so Tamakira went on, this time his voice was happier,
"I know who can help you, the Emperor, you must see him, he could give you proper clothing," Tamakira said, looking at his clothing, rather, looking through his clothing with utmost interest. "I serve him at times, he'd welcome you with honor, when he sees a very fair lady like you." He continued grinning and blushing as well.
"Insufferable hentai." Rukawa said as he turned around but Tamakira held his wrist and pulled him towards the other direction. Rukawa could feel shivers down his spine as Tamakira's hand grabbed his.
"Come on, I'll take you to his majesty." Tamakira told him without waiting for an answer..
Rukawa couldn't think of other insult to throw at him, so he let him drag him. After all, he really needed help.
He followed Tamakira until they reached the Kingdom of the said emperor.
It was the most beautiful place he had ever seen, behind the grand gates were gardens of green and mini ponds full of life, stones of gray and white, little and tall trees of old and small wood bridges of red and brown. As they came near to the dwelling of his majesty, a number of tall soldiers in colorful armors and steel weapons stood before them as one of them said,
"Why, what a pleasant surprise, Tamakira the Fair Kitchen Boy wants to pass through," mocking was his tone. The guards started sniggering.
"Indeed I do, your headship, for this lady here desires to see the emperor. She seeks for help," answered Tamakira. It was then these soldiers first saw Rukawa, and learned that he was insecure so they led him to the emperor out of pity.
They passed through a wide and long balcony with a company of four soldiers and they opened large double doors where the emperor was currently taking his rest inside. A narrow path of red carpet led them to a platform where his throne stood and on it he sat stiffly, a man fair to look upon, the man of Rukawa's dreams, Hisashi Mitsui. He was clad in red and gold mantle and on his head were jewels like stars. Rukawa was in great shock, he wasn't quite sure if he wanted to go back to where he came from for all he knew he wanted to watch Mitsui or to be with him. He had never seen Mitsui like this before; he was sitting straightly and majestically unlike the way he did during lunch breaks in school as Rukawa had stolen so many glances of him. His deep voice was much calmer, very different from what Rukawa was used to listening, it was music to his ears though. His hair was the only thing that Rukawa didn't like, he wanted it more disheveled just like during practice. Anyway, Rukawa didn't care much about this for it was still his Mitsui; the same handsome face that he never got tired of watching beneath his thick lashes.
"Why, Tamakira, my faithful follower, what brings you here? And this fair maiden," Rukawa's heart was beating madly, he knew that the emperor was referring to him although why they referred to him as a she was beyond his meager comprehension skills. "Why is she with you."
"Well, your lordship, that is why I am here. This beautiful lady seeks help, she is lost and I think she is from somewhere…" Tamakira answered noticing Rukawa's interest in the emperor.
"Is that so? Where does she come from? Does she speak our language? What's her name?"
"Er, your mastership, which question should I answer first?" Tamakira asked stupidly, Rukawa muttered 'baka yarou'. The emperor laughed merrily.
"In whatever order for I'll know which one you answer, Tamakira." The emperor said calmly and to Tamakira's ears, wisely.
"As you wish, your excellency. Firstly, she wouldn't tell. Secondly, she wouldn't answer. And lastly, she speaks of different terms I am not familiar with. She even called me different names."
"Is that so. Do you think she'd answer if I would ask her?"
"Certainly your grace-" Tamakira was cut short when Rukawa spoke,
"Yes I would," said a cold voice from behind, Tamakira looked at Rukawa in surprise.
"At last, the lady speaks!" Tamakira exclaimed. The emperor smiled at this, Rukawa felt his heart bursting out of his chest. Rukawa didn't know what to answer,
Will he recognize me if I call him Mitsui? Am I really in a different world? Why do they think I'm a girl, do I look like one? Whatever, nothing more I can do. Rukawa thought.
"Well, my lady, what shall we call you?" The emperor asked, flashing his very handsome smile. Rukawa could feel the heat on his cheeks. He didn't know how to answer; he just stood there while everyone was watching his every move, his eyes still on the Mitsui. The emperor broke the silence, "I suppose it's not proper in your custom or in your land for men to seek the name of a lady without introducing themselves first."
"I already told her my name, but if you weren't listening then, my lady, I am Tamakira, servant of his gracefulness." Tamakira piped up. The emperor nodded at this and said,
"My lady, the name is Hotosashi, 14th ruler of this land we call Shohokuto, seeker and summoner of the Divine Phoenix, Shohozaku." The emperor said.
Rukawa was in shock, I've read of him, emperor Hotosashi, the descriptions as it was said, he was…can it be that I am now in the world of…whatever. He thought.
"And now, would you tell us your name?" The emperor said. This shook Rukawa off his wondering.
"Kaede, Kaede Rukawa."
"My lord, could it be that she's Lady Miakaede, leader of this nation? And that I've found her?" Tamakira said suddenly but Hotosashi looked at him as if to silence him and said calmly,
"And in what nation did you come from?"
"Kanagawa."
"But you are in Kanagawa, are you sure you belong here?"
"I don't know, I've never been here,"
"Very well then," Hotosashi said at last, he was smiling and it seemed that he had struck gold. Rukawa blushed even more, not noticing that Tamakira knew of this. Hotosashi called his maiden servants and ordered them to give Rukawa the finest clothing they had. The emperor knew at the moment that Rukawa belonged to a certain time far from when they had been as he learned from the oracle. And for him Rukawa was just perfect after all he was the Shrine Maiden of Shohozaku.
TBC
A/N: If you review, we'll keep posting. We don't watch Fushigi Yuugi and we might have deviated from the usual course of the story and we may have had mistakes. Just remember that this is a Slam Dunk fic. Thanks for reading!