Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi.

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Narrator's POV

Takiko looked around the capital, glad to be back. She liked busy places, and busy was one thing that the capital always was. She glanced over at Uruki and Namame to see how they where taking their first look at the capital. Hikitsu had told her earlier that he had been there once or twice, but he had never met the emperor. She and Tomite had of course been there that first time just after she had become the Genbu no Miko. It seemed so long ago, yet it was only a few months. The other two had never been there. As she watched them, she remembered how she had felt the first time that she had seen it. She had been so scared.

Uruki didn't look any different that ever and acted as if the capital's size and beauty had no effect on her, although Takiko suspected that she was just as awed as she had been the first time that she had been there. But Namame had his jaw hanging open in awe and wonder looking just the way that she knew that she must have looked. It's even more beautiful and wonderful than the rumors say.' Namame was thinking.It-it's amazing!' Because he came from a very small tribe, (even smaller that Uruki's) being in a place this big and busy was fascinating. He kept whipping his head around, trying to see everything at once and getting a bunch of his blue hair in his face. He didn't even bother to wipe away or put up his hair witch was so messy because of the furious wind. It looked quite comical. The capital is so... Big. Even bigger than I imagined,' he thought. He wondered if he would have time to look around some time after they got to the palace and met the emperor. The thought of the palace and meeting the emperor brought him back to his senses. He began to wonder what the emperor was like. He had forgotten to ask Takiko or Tomite while they where riding there. Now he wished that he had. After all, they where the only ones that had who had met the emperor.

All to soon, they where at the palace. The guards bowed, recognizing Takiko as the Genbu no Miko and Tomite as one of her seven Genbu Seishi from their last visit. However, they gave strange looks to the rest of her companies, wondering who they where, where they came from, and why they where traveling with the famous Genbu no Miko. They never thought that they may some of the other Genbu Seishi. They where met just inside the gate by a servant.

His Highness wishes to see you immediately, Takiko-sama. Tomite-sama. Um... As well as your companies., she said as she bowed all five of them. Takiko looked confused.

He already knows that we're here? She asked.

O-of course, Takiko-sama. His Highness knows many things. He keeps a sharp watch on his city, as well as the rest of his empire. He had been notified of your arrival and has sent me to bring you to him, the servant said almost swelling with pride for the man she served.

W-well then... Please take us to him. We have much to tell him of our travels, Takiko said a little nervously. She shifted in her seat behind Tomite and Namame could see by the look on his face that she was squeezing Tomite to tight and was crushing his ribs. Tomite muttered something out of the corner on his mouth to Takiko as they began to follow the servant and she slowly loosened her grip, much to his relief. Soon, they where inside the palace and looking at the doors to the throne room.

This is where I must leave you, said the servant, The doors will open once the emperor is ready for you. With that, she left them all standing (There horses had been taken to the palace stables shortly after they had started to follow the servant by some hostlers.) at the huge wooden door...

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Takiko's POV

I was a little nervous. Why would the emperor want to see them so soon? Had somethin happened while they where gone? I hoped not. I still had three more seishi to find. Iname, Hatsui, and Urumia. After what seemed like hours, the door swung open with a creak. The five of us steeped inside and bowed to the figure standing there. I instantly realized it was Heika-sama, but he looked much more tired. Almost older. I absently wondered why.

H-Heika-sama, what do you wish to talk to us about? I asked him trying to smile a little. He returned my smile and told me and the others to sit in some chairs that had just been pleased near his seat by some servants. We did so and he said, I am glad to see that you have returned safely, Takiko-sama, and that you have found some more of the Genbu no Seishi in such a short amount of time. The others and I nodded. However, I am afraid that i must ask you to please find the other three quickly. Kutou is nearly upon us. My troupes cannot hold them off for much longer. They could break threw our defenses any day now. Then they will he in Hokkan and after that, they will soon attack the capital. I do not have enough soldiers to hold the capital for long. We have the advantage that this is our soil and that we don't have to ship supplies all the way from Kutou. However, they have the element of surprise. Forgive me for saying so, but right now, things look pretty hopeless.

I understand, I said after a small pause. Would it be okay if we leave a week form now? That will give us time to get whatever supplies we may need, and I'm sure that in the mean time we can find other ways to help you. I wasn't sure if this was the best answer. After all, he had said that we needed to hurry. But the others needed a break, and rest for a few days. And it was true that we needed some more supplies. Most of my clothes (as well as the other's) had holes in them, and in Hokkan climate, that was a very bad thing. But Heika-sama just nodded slowly as if he understood. However, there was a troubled look on his face. Suddenly I remembered somethin important.

Heika-sama, I forgot to introduce you to the new seishi. I pointed to each one in turn as I said there names and he nodded and shook there hands. This is Hikitsu, I found him shortly after we left you last time going over the mountain. And this is Uruki, she joined our party next when we found her in a small village at the bottom of the mountain. And last but not least, this is Namame, out newest companion. We found him when he rescued Tomite from a fire on our way back to the capital. At the last part, Tomite flushed deeply as Heika-sama looked at him with amusement in his eyes.

Well... I'm sure that story will be interesting, he said to me. Then addressing all of us, It is very nice to meet all of you. I hope to hear of your travels soon. However, not is not the time for stories. You must all be tired and hungry from your long journey. Let us have dinner, and then the servants will show those of you who haven't been here to your rooms that you will be staying in while you are at the palace. Tomite, Takiko-sama, you will have the same rooms as the last time you where here. Do you still remember how to get there? Both nodded. Good. Now, for dinner. He clapped three times and servants came out of a door and began putting delicious platters of food on the table. We all ate hungrily and talked. After we where done, servants came to take the others to there rooms and Tomite and I went to ours. We where all in the same hallway so we could talk and interact later. At that moment, I think that the only thing that any of us wanted to do was sleep. I was so tired. I fell onto the soft bed not bothering to take off my clothes and fell into a deep, dreamless sleep...

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Uruki's POV

The morning after we arrived, I was awaken by a loud BOOM! I quickly got out of bed and ran into the hall, still in my night clothes, to see what was going on. As soon as I was out of my room, I saw that the others had the same idea.

What's going on?! I asked Hikitsu.

I...I don't know, he answered and we hurried down the hall with the others. Solders where running in every direction. Takiko stopped one.

Um... Excuse me but... She began. he shook her off saying a very rude word under his breath. I grabbed the solder's arm and yelled at him, The Genbu no Miko asked you a question. WHAT IN THE NAME OF GENBU OF GOING ON IS GOING ON??!! He looked at me frightened.

K-Kutou is a-attacking. W-where under siege. H-His Highness ordered everyone who can fight to go the the capitals gate and prepare for battle. With that he ran off. The rest of us looked at each other.

Well... I guess that includes us. Takiko... Go to your rooms. You'll be safe there, Tomite said and the rest of us nodded. Well... The rest of us not counting Takiko.

I can't just go to my rooms while the rest of you are out there risking your lives! I just can't! What if something happens to you, Tomite?! What if.... What if one of you die and I never get to say goodbye? We all looked at her as a single tear rolled down her cheek. I quickly went over to her and tried to comfort her.

Don't be silly. Where not going to die. Where Genbu Seishi. And you have to be safe. Tomite's just looking out for you, I told her. She nodded.

B-but... That's what my mother told me before she died. You never know what will happen out there, she sobbed.

Takiko... Why don't you go and help in the infirmary. They could always use an extra hand, and that way you'll know if any of us get hurt. You can't go out and fight like the rest of us. It's two dangerous. If you die then we will all be doomed. If something happens to one of us, then we may be able to ask Taiisukun for help and she may know a way to summon Genbu if that we don't, Hikitsu said. I nodded in agreement and Takiko smiled.

Fine. But you have to promise not to die before I get a chance to say goodbye. We all nodded in agreement and then went our separate ways...

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~End of Chapter 16~

Um... this took me a while to get out because I was in Chicago on a trip. Hm... I've got to find new things to say in these A/N's. There all pretty much the same. Hm... Oh well. Please review. More coming soon.