Written by: Hoshihikari4ever
Summary: Miaka exchanges letters with someone "back home" during her and the Seishi's journey to obtain the Shinzaho. The story is mostly told through Miaka and her correspondent's point of view.
Spoilers Warning: the whole series….major spoilers from season 2 and up and Fushigi Yuugi Gaiden novels….Suzaku Hi Den (Hotohori's novel….I only read the summary so please forgive me if it is inaccurate, it would help if anyone can be so kind to give me a translation of it in English!)
Author Note: Remember to check out my bio, which I would update often. This story was inspired by Kimi-chan3 and her story "The Letter" The idea was also inspired by the letters that Houki wrote to Nuriko during the willow's journey (letters found in Suzaku Hi Den). If you are interested in the FY Gaiden novels, please tell me and I'll send a link.
Please Read and Review!
Parings: Miaka and Hotohori
Chapter 1
The emperor sighed as he watched the ship leave the harbor. His hands held tightly onto a teddy bear.
"Heika…shall we return to the palace sire?" one of the men who stood behind him spoke. Hotohori sighed. "Have a safe journey Miaka….May Suzaku be with you…." He stared at the place where the ship was, a black dot on the horizon. "Heika-sama?" Hotohori turned his head to the man behind him. "I said…shall we return to the palace?" The emperor stared once more at the ocean before him, before turning to leave, his advisors following closely behind him.
~ 1 week later ~
Palace life was heavy and stiff. Everyone was worried about the Suzaku warriors. No one had heard anything about them. All was worried, but they were more worried about their emperor who seemed to have withdrawn within his room, and to everyone around him.
Hotohori wondered aimlessly through the palace. He knew where he was going. It had become a routine, a routine to spend the few time he had, locked inside the shrine of Suzaku, praying…praying for Miaka.
Suzaku, yet once again, I've been left behind on the journey. I pray to thee, to protect to the one bestowed to you, the one who is destined to gain your power and save Konan.
If I could, if I was not tied down to my own burden…Suzaku, I would not leave Miaka for a second.
The emperor smiled. He knew that he wasn't alone. He could feel the presence of Suzaku surrounding him.
Suzaku, I pray thee, show me a sign; give me something, anything that would assure me of Miaka's safe journey.
There was no reply. The emperor sighed. He knew it was time to leave. Tomorrow, tomorrow he would return again, return to pray once more of his Miko's safe return.
The emperor headed towards his own quarters, through a path through his garden. As he neared his room, he noticed a golden cage, one that hung at the ceiling of the porch. He headed towards it, and opened the cage. Inside was two golden phoenixes, one larger then the other; both pair of eyes was blood red.
The two birds set themselves on the emperor's forearm, the arm of their master.
"Ready for a long journey again?" The younger one chirped excitedly. "Good, wait here…I'll be back shortly…" He placed both backed into the cage, before entering his room. When he came out an hour, in his fist was a roll of parchment. He let the younger bird rest on his arm while he used his other to tie the parchment to the birds leg.
"I want you to take this to the Suzaku no Miko…Miaka Yuki. I have no idea where she is, but I trust you to find her." The bird chirped. "If you do not find her, then return the letter…." The bird chirped again. "Do not let Miaka rest or do anything else till she has return a reply. I need a reply; I need to know how she is. Do anything you want….chirp loudly sing, dance…attack her or so…I need a reply, do you understand that?." Hotohori patted its feathers before setting the phoenix off on its task.
A long while later Hotohori went and such the cage with the other phoenix inside. "One day….one day I shall send you away. Your friend, that female phoenix is like Miaka…she is free. However you and I are quite the same….both are birds locked up in a golden cage." The larger phoenix gave a sad cry. "However I am sure, a day will come a day will come when I shall set you free….you and your friend…."
* * *
The night sky hung over the Seishi and Miko. The glistening stars lighted the night sky.
Miaka sighed as her gaze fell on the stars above her, landing on a certain, particular one. A hand touched her shoulder. She looked up to see Tamahome smiling down on her. "We've made it to Hokkan at last…."
Yes, Hotohori…I've made it…I've finally made it to Hokkan. Here I can find the Shinzaho…after that I can return to the palace…and summon Suzaku.
"Why don't you come back inside the ship. That's where we would be spending the night…" Tamahome spoke softly. "I know the ship isn't in great condition after Soi's attack, but it will have to do for tonight…." The Miko nodded. "I'll be in, in a sec…" Tamahome followed Miaka's gaze and noticed it was glued onto the star of the emperor.
"Are you worried about him…." Miaka seemed startled, not by what he said but by the tone of jealousy in his voice. "Do you wish he was here….with us now…?" The ogre asked. "Of course I'm worried…We're so far apart. It is….it is the first time, we've been separated so far." "Do…do…you wish…do you wish that he was here instead of….instead of me…." His voice was bitter. Miaka gazed up at him, before pulling him close to her. "Of course not…..he's just a friend…..a friend, and to me, you are more then a friend….I love you….." "You do not love him?" "I do…" Tamahome frowned. "Just in a friend way….I love all my Seishi in a friend way, I love you more then that….I don't get why you seem to doubt that." Miaka pulled apart, trying to figure out how, and why this started. Her eyes suddenly lit up as she thought she knew the reason why.
"Is it because of that fight with Soi….is all this doubting just because you weren't the one who saved me…" "Why would it because of that…such a small thing….Why would I care who saves you…as long as you are safe" The tone of his voice betrayed him. Miaka frowned. "Then why do you seem so worried….ever since my first battle….you've acted so bitter towards me…" Tamahome flung his arms in frustration. "Alright…alright…I admit it ok? I am jealous….I don't want anyone saving you but me, no one, especially not my rival!" "Rival!!! You consider your emperor and Seishi a rival??" "Yes, loves rival! I'm afraid to lose you to him. You have no idea what he literally did. It was like he was physically here, not only his spirit! Basically performed the impossible. I know it's a holy sword and all, but there seems to be more to it. I fear…I fear he has powers that he does not even know of!" his voice trailed off. The he picked up through gritted teeth. "Yes though we fight on the same side and all, I still consider him a strong love rival, one who I fear would tear us apart….I've seen the way you guys look….."
Slap!! Miaka slapped his Seishi's face. Tamahome reached up to massage his face, which was still stinging from pain. "Baka!! Do you think….do you really think I'm that kind of person? Do you…Do you really think just because a man saves my life, I'll instantly fall for him! There's more to love then 'love at first sight'!" She paused. Tamahome stood there, stiff. Slowly the last words sunk in. "Miaka…I…" but he did not finish, for Miaka waived him off. "If you don't shape up, if you don't put up your act, then perhaps this relationship between us must end." She took in a breath. "I refuse to go out with anyone…anyone who's going to mistreat my friends!" "Miaka I…"
A sharp cry cut off Tamahome. He stopped talking, and both of them stared up into the night sky. Something…something was soaring down from the sky above. As it flew closer, a bird came into view. The bird swooped down above Miaka, but before it touched her, it flew upwards again. This happened several times. Miaka stood there, wondering what was going on. She glanced at Tamahome who was staring coldly at her. "Are you going to just stand there and watch this bird attack me!?" Tamahome nodded. Then in a cold voice he spoke. "Why don't you pull out that sword of his and swing at it. Maybe some maricle would happen and this time prince charming would magically appear out of thin air and rescue you from….let me see…an attacking bird…!" Then he burst into a fit of hysterical laugher. "Fine!! Fine! Be that way! I don't need you anyways! Why don't you just leave! I can find the Sinzaho alone! I don't need you!!" Without glancing back at Tamahome, or the ship, Miaka ran off into the night, trying to rid herself of the attacking bird.
Miaka ran and ran, until finally the ship was off quite a distance. She stopped and panted hard, now noticing that the bird was not attacking her anymore. Instead it was perched before her, staring at her, with those blood red orbs.
"What do you want from me" Miaka asked, though she knew perfectly well that no bird would understand a human. To her surprise the bird gave a cry of warmth and hope. It hopped closer to her so that they were only inches apart. It gave another cry and fly onto her shoulders, snuggling its her on her neck, in a very friendly sort of way. This confused Miaka the most.
What is going on here? What does this bird want? One minute its attacking me, the next, filling my body with warmth and comfort.
The bird finally flew off Miaka and landed at a respectful distance. It slightly lowered its head. When it looked up, it held out one leg. It was then that Miaka noticed a piece of parchment tied to it. Miaka looked at it and then at the bird. Curiously she reached out and untied it. The bird waited patiently. "Who is this for?" she asked, while opening it. Inside was a letter, in pure Chinese. She glanced at the name of the receiver and at the name of the sender.
Thank God, Chriko taught me some Chinese, otherwise I won't be able to read this letter, this letter from non other then Hotohori. Hm…he does seem to have his ways does he not. What perfect timing…I was just thinking of him. Well, I'm glad I can read this, and what have to bother my other Seishi about this…Besides, he might have written something private, I wouldn't want to embarrass both of us by running up to a boy genius, or any one for that matter. Well I wonder what he wrote. From the type of person I know him as, Hotohori's probably worried about me and just wanted some kind of sign that I was alright.
Miaka glanced down at the letter and then began to read.
My dearest Miaka,
How are you? How are the Seishi? I hope you guys are getting along. As always I am extremely concerned and worried about your well-being. I know it's been less then two weeks since we were together…but my mind can think of nothing else but you. All I wish to know is that you are safe and have been treated with utmost respect from your Seishi. I know they are honorable, loyal and good-hearted men, but I still wish for some sort of reassurance. I truly regret not being about to travel on this journey with you, and watch over you as I should have, as my duty as your Seishi is unfulfilled….
Yet, I am still happy to inform you that I have found a way past that. The bird, which delivered this message to you, is no ordinarily bird. It is a phoenix. The queen of all birds, a bird which is unlike any other, for she portrays, strength, and loyalty and possesses magical powers… She is one of my most prized possessions, the others being my mirror, my hair, and my beauty….just kidding…the other is her male counter part. I am please to say that she has never failed me in any task yet, or disappointed me in anyway. That is why I am sure you will receive this letter, and hopefully we can stay in touch this way….
Lastly, I want to keep up with your progress of retrieving the Shinzahos…I hope there was no problems and if there was any that it would be fixed. I prey to you often and wish that you would return soon and that you will have a safe journey. May Suzaku be with you….
Love,
Hotohori
Miaka reread the letter a couple of times.
He does, he does care about me. At least there are still some people who care about me, unlike some people who are always so jumpy about the slightest thing.
She smiled, as for the first time she realized that perhaps Tamahome wasn't quite right for her. That perhaps there was somehow else who cared more about her then he did. Maybe that decision was because she just had a fight with Tamahome, and then received some comfort from another man who she knew perfectly well that loved her. Yet, Miaka did not know. All she knew was that right now, at this point she was really upset with Tamahome and his recent behavior. She was glad to hear from someone else for a change.
"So you are a phoenix eh?" Miaka asked as she scribbled down a reply letter, and tied it onto the birds leg. "I hear Hotohori treasures you….you must be really proud…." The phoenix chirped in agreement, making Miaka smile. "Well I want you to take this back to him…..and let him take time for his reply…" Miaka reached out, patted its head, and then watched it soar off into the night.
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