I borrowed it from Nyan Nyan, Taiitskun's servant. I can't use it a lot at the risk of taking away too much of Nyan Nyan's life energy." Houki sadly looked down at her bandaged hands. She wanted to cry, but knew that Nuriko was right. But there was still one question she just had to ask him.
"Nuriko...how is Hotohori?" Nuriko looked at her, a expression of confusion in his face.
"Houki...I know you love his majesty...and that's wonderful, but..." Nuriko paused, as searching for the right words. "His majesty, Hotohori, no longer has the same feelings for you as he once did." Nuriko bit his lip, wondering what Houki would say.
Houki stared at her hands, avoiding eye contact with Nuriko. Silently, Houki got up and walked towards her bathroom. Not wanting to follow her and give her some time alone, Nuriko just stood there.
He was about to disappear, when all of a sudden he heard Houki gasp hard. Immediately, he used Nyan Nyan's body, and ran to the bathroom. A terrible sight met his eyes.
Houki had grabbed a double-edged knife, plunged it in herself, and had cut her hand as well. She noticed Nuriko was there and stabbed it even deeper. Blood poured out and soon she started to cough out blood.
Nuriko stared in horror and tried to pick up Houki.
Houki pleaded him to let her die, and then started to speak. "What good is life...if he can't even love me in death." Nuriko used his god given strength, and lifted Houki to her bed. He tried to wrap up the blood with some of his garment, but blood poured out even more. In a few moments Houki would lose too much blood and soon die.
Not knowing what to do, Nuriko just told Houki to hang on. Then, suddenly remembering Mitsukake's gift,
he plunged his hand into his pocket and took out Mitsukake's holy water. He took some water on his fingertips, and sprinkled it on all over Houki.
Houki's wounds were all healed, and even her royal garments were back to normal. She'd fallen asleep, and Nuriko did not think it would be a good idea to wake her up.
Nuriko just sat next to her as she slept. "Houki...I can feel your pain. I only wish...I could heal your pains inside. He just grabbed her hand and felt her squeeze tight in her sleep. She was so heartbroken...but he needed to help her rule Konan. It was her duty.
Houki called Saihitei in her sleep...but he would never, ever answer her.
Birds chirped outside, and it was a beautiful sunny
day. Houki walked down the hall and entered the dining
room. She was oddly quiet and just walked to the
window.
"I still can't believe it...I thought he loved me."
She just listened to the wind as her thoughts spread
in her mind. "Stupid emperors...I should have never
left home. All this time...and the jerk just used me."
Nuriko glided to Houki. Houki, deep in her thoughts,
did not notice him. Knowing he was unable to tap her,
Nuriko softly spoke. "Uhh...Houki?"
Houki looked back at him, and gave him a sad smile.
"Sorry...I'm just thinking about all this.
Nuriko nodded. "It's all good...you know, you really
got me scared last night." Houki didn't answer or
looked at him. "Houki...to go to such an extreme to
try to KILL yourself? How could you?"
Houki moved to the table. "He's right...I don't know
what came over me." Houki turned to Nuriko. "You're
right...I don't know what came over me." She sat down
on her chair and folded her hands. " Starting
tomorrow, I will find a new husband...the new ruler of
Konan.
Nuriko was surprised. Knowing Houki, he thought she
wouldn't have gotten over the fact that Hotohori
didn't love her anymore, even in death. "Houki...I"
"Nuriko..." Houki interrupted him. "Why did you come
here in the first place I mean, you're dead. Why?"
Houki had been dying to ask him this.
Nuriko did not expect this. AS he tried to find the
right words, he started to explain. "Houki...you
stopped caring about anything when his majesty died.
It seemed as if you didn't know your position, as
empress of Konan. You didn't care anymore." Houki but
already knew this, but continued to listen. "This
Universe of the Four Gods was created for a purpose.
all the kingdoms must live in peace and harmony. When
you stopped ruling, Konan fell out of place, as it is
now, and the whole kingdom is in havoc. If this
continues, the Four Gods will destroy this world. All
of it. All because of you."
Houki took all this into thought, but there was still
one more question, and she was afraid to ask it.
"Nuriko...then what's your reason for being here...and
will you leave when you fulfill it?"
Nuriko was shocked again. "Houki...I came here to
help you get into shape to once more rule the kingdom.
I...I will leave when you're able to." Nuriko had a
sad face.
Houki looked up. "Well...what if I give up? Stop
being empress. I can just forget it all, and have
someone more responsible to be empress." Houki was
sadden by her own words.
"You can't just give up. When you married into the
royal family, a pledge was made between you and
Suzaku. It would be your duty to help rule and protect
this kingdom of Konan. Give up, and Suzaku will
execute you. I won't let you do that." Nuriko looked
at Houki sternly.
Houki stood up. "Ok then, it's time I found a new
husband, and rule side by side with him. I'll raise
Boushin to be a great ruler, and complete my task as
empress." Houki walked towards the door and looked
back. "Does this mean that you're going to leave now?"
Nuriko thought for a moment. "Well...no. I'm going to
help you find a new husband! You know, it could be
good, since I'm...well, you know."
"Gay?" Houki giggled.
Nuriko looked peeved. "Uhhh...I'd prefer gender
translated...and I like girls as well!"
"Ok...whatever you say!" Houki giggled more than she
did in a long time...
Today was the day. The day Houki would find a new husband...the new emperor of Konan.
Houki tried to find a good dress. "Hey, Nuriko! I
can't choose what's better! The gold or the pink
robe?" Even as empress, she still couldn't choose a
good gown.
Nuriko came out for the hundredth time! "Urgh! Houki!
Just choose any old gown! You look good in anything!"
Houkl blushed! "Yeah! I guess I do!" She walked out
the door, Nuriko following her closely.
Houki walked fast. "Okay, Nuriko! When I signal, just
disappear and when I say so, tell me what you think of
the men who come, okay?"
"You got it."
They entered the grand entrance hall and Nuriko
quickly disappeared. Houki entered the room...the room
with her future husband.
Houki came out of the grand entrance hall, with no
future husband, and a weird smell of vomit on her. She
was very angry and stomped towards her room. Nuriko
followed her closely, with a real sympathetic face.
Houki slammed her door. "That was the most DISGUSTING
thing that ever happened to me!" Houki went into the
shower, leaving the door open, so that she could talk
to Nuriko.
"I don't blame you! Remember how that...uh, what was
his name...Sir Shingo...he barfed all over you when he
had to much to drink?" Nuriko couldn't help but laugh.
"Urgh! Don't remind me! And the other guy farted and
grabbed my chicken and stuck it up his ass to make it
"smell uh lil bettuh!" Stupid pig!" Houki was
extremely pissed!
Still, it was refreshing to have some laughter in her
life. Since her husband died, it was a very rare event
to see the empress ever smile.
Nuriko was lost in thought as he thought of what to
do next. A crazy idea entered his mind. "Hey, Houki! I
think I have a different idea on how to get your
husband!"
Houki came out, a towel wrapped from her chest down
to her knees. Nuriko immediately closed his eyes.
Nuriko shook her head. "Uh uh...I got an idea. You
see, all these weirdos are all rich people...rich
losers who have terrible personalities." Nuriko took
this into thought. "You see, I want someone who's kind
and honest, even if he's poor. So I'm going to sneak
out of the palace and go out into the city."
Nuriko immediately opened his eyes. "Are you kidding
me! You're an empress! Do you even remember that?"
Houki giggled. "Well...if you're so mad, you can come
with me!" Houki gave him the puppy eyes.
Nuriko scowled. "Grr...ok...but we have to be
careful!" Nuriko had a bad feeling about this.
"Don't worry, Nuriko! You grew up here in Konan, so
you'll know you're way around!" Houki put on a final
layer of clothes.
Nuriko murmured to himself. "Oh, shut up."
Houki entered the dining room and silently crept
towards the kitchen. She could distinctly hear the
night wind outside, and the moon giving light to the
darkened room.
She entered the kitchen and silently collected all
the food she that was in sight. It would be a long
trip, and Houki didn't know how long she would be
gone.
Nuriko all of a sudden appeared behind Houki. "Oh,
Houki..." Nuriko sang playfully.
Houki squealed loudly and fell backwards. Breathing
heavily, she turned an angry face towards Nuriko. "You
idiot!" she silently scolded. "I'm trying to escape!
Are you crazy?"
Nuriko silently giggled. "Why do you need to steal
food, when you're the richest person...in, uh...THE
ENTIRE COUNTRY?" Nuriko's eyes almost came bulging out
of his eye sockets.
Houki looked annoyed. "All that money I have is for
royal reasons! Or if I need to buy something real
expensive. Even then, I have someone else buy the
expensive stuff. If I ask for my money, that would
make my advisors suspiscous."
"Sheesh! I never knew being empress would be so
idiotic!" Nuriko thought to himself. "Heh...I never
knew."
"Well now you know. Anyways, we're leaving tonight!
Hurry up and...uh...float around, looking like you're
busy." Nuriko looked annoyed, making Houki giggle. "I
mean, be a lookout for now."
"Houki...there's a teeny weeny tiny problem." Nuriko
spoke sternly. "If you're not here, what's going
happen with everyone else. I mean, it's not like it's
NORMAL to have the empress disappear!"
Houki thought to herself for a long time. "I got the
perfect plan!" Nuriko looked at Houki, unsure. "We did
it before! We can switch places!"
Nuriko's eyes almost actually came out of their
sockets. "WHAT?" Nuriko laughed hysterically.
"Hahaha! In case you haven't noticed, you're ALIVE,
and I am...DEAD! Do you understand?"
Houki laughed out loud. "No, silly. No one's going to
see you. Just avoid everyone. You know, lock yourself
in my room, or stay in the bath room for a long time!"
Nuriko stared blankly at Houki. "OH! And if there's
any chance that someone catches sight of you, use Nyan
Nyan's body for a bit. Don't forget to cover your
mole!
Nuriko stared at Houki without speaking. Then, slowly
opening his mouth, he spoke. "That is the
most...STUPIDEST IDEA I HAVE EVER HEARD! It's so
stupid...so INCREDIBLY stupid...that it just might
work!" Nuriko looked at Houki with delight. "But it's
still real crazy!"
"Perfect!"
Nuriko floated to Houki's bedroom, unsure whether or
not Houki's "brilliant" plan would work. It was the
middle of the night, and Nuriko was sure that no one
would catch him tonight.
Boy, was he wrong. In the distance, footsteps could
be heard walking towards Houki's bedroom. Nuriko went
right through the wall, and for once, was glad he was
dead. However, the door knob started to turn, and
Nuriko floated as fast as he could towards Houki's
bed.
Immediately, he used Nyan Nyan's body and went under
the covers. The foot steps went towards the bed. A
female voice softly spoke.
"Your majesty, are awake?" It was one of Houki's
servants.
Nuriko used the girliest voice he could use.
"Uhh...yeah! What do you want?" Nuriko started to
sweat, hoping this woman would not figure out he
wasn't Houki.
"Prince Boushin needs feeding. We believe that he
needs to be feeden from you." Nuriko's heart skipped a
beat.
"Uhh...excuse me, but I don't think I can. Can't you
give him...uh...a bottle?" This was starting to go in
the wrong direction.
"We're sorry, your majesty, but it seems
he...craves...your milk. So if you don't mind, we
would really appreciate if you come and feed him."
Nuriko couldn't even comprehend all those words.
Thinking fast, he got up, untied his braid so his hair
fell down in a feminine fashion, and put his finger on
his mole.
"Oh...uh okay." he said to the maid in the most
girlie voice. "Uhh...can I just PLEASE use the
bathroom?" Nuriko had no idea what to do.
"Please you're majesty, his highness is very...uh, in
need. If you can hold it in, well..." Nuriko covered
her mouth.
"I get it! Just let me go by myself, because...uh, I
need womanly needs." The maid got up slowly and walked
towards the door.
"Hurry up!" The maid ran out of the room.
Immediately, Nuriko returned to his ghost form. "I'm
sorry, Nyan Nyan, but I think my life...or, uh,
death...is going to be the worst thing that has ever
happened to me."
The cold wind hit Houki hard in he face. She wasn't
used to being outside, and hadn't stepped out at night
in such a long time. The moon above gave her a lot of
light in the streets, but Houki still had an awkward
feeling of being alone.
Houki walked for long time, stopping only to eat.
Not knowing what to do, she decided to enter a inn and
let the night pass.
When she entered she went pass the landlord. Annoyed,
he spoke to her in his drunken voice. "Hey, doll! Get
the heck outta here if you ain't got no money!" Houki
was confused. Then it hit her. She had to PAY!
Not wanting to admit to being empress so that she
could be safe from any "weirdos", she immediately left
the inn and stayed outside. Her bag got heavy and she
took it off.
She had a blanket in there, but the wind made this
night freezing. She got out some dumplings and started
to eat hungerly. Maybe by morning, someone suitable as
emperor would come.
Back at the palace, Nuriko was sweating harder than
ever. He was holding a VERY angry Boushin. He had told
the servants to leave him and Boushin alone, but he
almost wished the servants were here to help.
Not knowing what to do to calm down the prince, tried
to rock Boushin to sleep, which ended up by Boushin
biting his fingers.
Yowling in pain, the servants came in to see what was
wrong. Many of them were surprised that he wasn't
feeding Boushin.
One servant got irritated and spoke harshly to
Nuriko. "My empress, I really do believe you should
feed him. I mean, I'm sorry to say, but I think I
should help you" She reached to lift Boushin to
Nuriko's "breasts".
Without even thinking, he whacked the hand out of the
way, and pulled Boushin of his chest. He put as many
layers as he could on Boushin's head to shield the
servants from seeing him.
Unsure of what was happening, Boushin started to bite
on Nuriko's nipple, causing intense pain in Nuriko's
chest.
Trying no to look like he was in pain, Nuriko begged
the servants to leave. They left, uncertain,and
started to whisper as they left.
"Hey...when did her majesty Houki have a MOLE?" One
whispered. "And when did her hair turn real dark?"
Another one whispered.
They left, and Nuriko pulled Boushin off. He was
relieved that Boushin was off, but Boushin started to
cry again. He threw Boushin on his bed, not realizing
he could hurt him, and immediately got out of Nyan
Nyan's body.
"Sorry, Nyan Nyan. I'll limit using your body. But
this really was an emergency!"
Nuriko realized that Boushin stopped crying, and
started laughing at the fact that Nuriko was
transparent. It seemed that this was a form of
amusement for him.
"Uhh...haha! Yeah, I guess it is funny I'm dead."
Nuriko laughed at himself. Boushin laughed even harder
when Nuriko tried to touch Boushin and his hand right
through him.
The servants came in, and Nuriko immediately got back
in the flesh and blood body. They noticed that Boushin
was laughing, and were quite amused.
"You know, you majesty, his highness has not laughed
at all in his whole life." They were crying tears of
joy, but Nuriko had an angry face.
"Oh my god, what kind of sad dump is this awful
place?" He scolded the servants as they trembled. "I
mean, this kid deserves happiness all his life!" He
took a deep breath. "Now, leave!"
They walked out, once again speaking to each other
quietly. "Since when did Lady Houki have such
a...manly voice?"
Nuriko took in another deep breath. He calmed himself
down, then went back to ghost form.
As Boushin laughed again, Nuriko heard a voice,
squeaky and high. "N-N-N-Nuriko...I'm really
hungry..." Nuriko gasped. He had forgotten that Nyan
Nyan needed food to live. Being dead, he never needed
to eat again.
"Oh my god, I'm sorry Nyan Nyan...I'll get you food."
Nyan Nyan's voice thanked him.
Nuriko turned to Boushin. "Uhh...I know you
can't...UNDERSTAND me, but I can't risk using Nyan
Nyan's body again." He really didn't think this would
work. "Can you get us food?"
Nuriko thought he was going crazy, but Boushin
shocked him. He nodded and got up, then spoke his
first words. "G-G-Get Foo!" "Foo"? What the hell?
Nuriko guessed that Boushin tried to say "food", but
he was still touched.
Boushin giggled, then motioned Nuriko to follow him.
Nuriko followed Boushin out the door...
Houki was freezing! The cold night had her trembling,
and now as day rise approached, she felt yet another
chill.
Wondering where men...NICE men hung out, she decided
to walk around Konan. She noticed that the further she
walked, the less people she saw.
Eventually, she realized that she walked right into
the slums of Konan, and turned around back towards
Konan.
She ran really fast, but the whole place was
unfamiliar. Eventually, she was extremely lost. She
tried to ask for directions, but all the people just
shoved her off.
Houki began to get scared and didn't know what to do.
She decided just to stop and rest.
She ate most of her food and started to doze off.
Suddenly, a deep voice spoke. "Excuse me, Miss...but
are you lost?"
Houki slowly opened her eyes and saw a tall man in
filthy clothes looking at her. "Y-Y-Yes...I can't find
my way into the main city."
He purred at her. "Oh don't worry...I'll lead you to
safety." He offered her his hand, and she took him. He
was ugly, but he seemed nice.
She reached for her bag, but he urged her forward.
"Don't worry. We'll feed you there.
They had only been walking a few minutes, when they
stopped at a bar. He spoke to her in a strangely
dangerous tone. "This is a shortcut."
"Oh...ok." She entered with him, and the smell of
alcohol immediately came to her nose. This place was
dangerous. She turned to leave, but two men blocked
the door.
She tried to yell, but one man covered her mouth. A
tall, mean looking man grabbed her breast. Then he
spoke to the other man who brought her.
"You brought a real fine one, Jun! We'll have a
little fun with this one!" A bunch of men came closer
and grabbed her. Feeling like she was being ripped
apart, she felt a tear in every spot of her clothes.
As she felt something enter her body, she tried to
scream, but she couldn't even hear her voice. She
couldn't hear anything anymore...
The feeling...it was so intense...so sad...but Nuriko
couldn't feel what it was. But this feeling was so
familiar, he had felt it before, but he couldn't place
it.
He came back to reality when Boushin brought him some
bread. Nuriko had filled up already, but he starting
to obsess about food again.
Being human again was great, but it seemed to be a
lot more hard work than being dead.
Nuriko had been worried about Houki, though. He'd
been having a lot of fun hiding from the servants with
Boushin, but Houki's safety always worried Nuriko.
He'd been walking down the hall with Boushin, when a
servant jumped out of a room, having a face of relief.
"Oh, your majesty! We were so worried! Let us go to
dinner, and after dinner, you need to discuss
something with the high council!" The servant smiled
at Nuriko and walked away.
"Oh my god...how dull. But I still need to pretend to
be Houki...damn." He walked towards the dining room,
and shortly another servant took Boushin by the hand
and took him away.