Disclaimers: I don't own Fushigi Yuugi.

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Narrator's POV

Takiko was in hysteresis when she saw Tomite and Namame's condition, and even more worried when she saw that they where with a Kutou soldier. When Hatsui and Hikitsu came into the infirmary carrying a passed out Uruki, she was frantic. That night, all of them met in her room to have things explained to her and one another. Uruki had waken up earlier that day (Hikitsu had refused to leave her side until she had waken up saying that it was all his fault that she had been hurt), and the Hokkan soldiers had been able to drive off the Kutou forces. At least temporally. But they had taken damage. The emperor wasn't sure when the next attack would be and all entrances and exists to the city where being closely watched and guarded. Still, nobody knew how much longer they would be safe.

The group began to tell each other what had happened in each of there days, and, in Hatsui and Iname's cases, how they had gotten there, that night in Takiko's room. It took almost two hours before everyone understood exactly what had happened that day. By that time it was very late and they all went to bed.

Iname walked to his new room three doors down and across from Takiko's. He remembered the look on Takiko's face when she saw Tomite come into the infirmary and smiled. They where obviously meant for each other. They just couldn't see it.

He would have to go to the emperor tomorrow and tell him all the things that he knew about Kutou and their plains. Takiko had told him that she would take him there and introduce he and Hatsui to the emperor. The she and Hatsui would leave so he could give his information to the emperor in private. She had also mentioned that the emperor was very nice. Iname had been waiting that moment a long time. He had always hated being in Kutou. Because he was a Genbu Seishi, he had been treated like dirt. It had been awful. He had been waiting all 17 years of his life for this. But why did he feel so nervous now that the opportunity had come?

He laid down on the soft bed, but couldn't sleep. He tossed and turned for almost half a hour, thinking about all the things that had happened that day. He had finally found the people who he shared his destiny with, and they had been just as kind, strong, and, overall, wonderful people as he had imagined. So why didn't he feel more like he was a part of their group? He was different from them, despite all of the things that where the same. He didn't even feel like he belonged with Hatsui, even though he was also new in there group. The thing that separated him from them was that they all came from Hokkan. He came from Kutou. If he wasn't a Genbu Seishi then he would probably be there enemy. He may even have killed some of them, although that was unlikely. Still, if he wasn't one of them, then Tomite and Namame would probably be dead. Because he had been there to put up the shield, they where alive. Because he had been there to betray his country and, in a very indirect way, his god, Seriyuu. As a child he had worshipped Seriyuu. It was how he had been taught by his parents. He had been taught that Seriyuu was the only god worth worshiping. That the other three gods where inferior. He hadn't believed them but...

Iname still refused to believe the Seriyuu was a bad god. Only most of the people who worshiped him where evil. So who did he worship now? Seriyuu? Of the god that had made him his seishi, Genbu. And what about Byakko and Suzaku, of Sairou and Konan? They weren't bad gods either. I suppose that I could just worship all four of them,' He thought. Yes. That's what I'll do. After all, they are all worthy gods. And I am both of Seriyuu and Genbu. I just hope that none of them get mad at me because I'm not only worshiping them.' And with that thought swirling around in his head, he slowly drifted off, into a restless sleep....

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Hatsui's POV

The next morning I woke up quite early. I had always been the early bird in my family. My family... I wondered how they where doing. I hadn't seen them for six years. That was when they had left me. Left me to go to Sairou. My mother had said that I had to stay because I was a Genbu Seishi and had to wait for the Genbu no Miko. I remembered her face when she had said goodbye. She had looked so sad. Yet, she had still looked like she knew that she would regret her decision. They had left because her health had been bad and the Hokkan climate was making it such worse. I hadn't heard from any of them since. We'll see each other again someday, somewhere. You just have to be patient.' My mothers last words to me before she left echoed in my head.

I sighed and got up. I was supposed to meet Takiko and Iname soon so that we could have a breakfast together and then meet the emperor. Afterwards, Iname would be left alone with the emperor so that he could tell him everything that he knew about Kutou's plans, although he had insisted that he didn't know much. I got dressed hurriedly and then walked down to the place where we where to meet. It was a beautiful garden. I loved gardens. My mother had been a wonderful gardener before she had... left. I quickly shook that thought out of my head and went to sit down where Takiko and Iname where. They had spread a big blanket out on the ground and Takiko was setting food out onto it.

Sorry. Did I keep you waiting? I asked.

No. We've only been here a few minutes, replied Takiko and Iname. I sighed in relief and sat between my fellow seishi and Miko.

Did you sleep well? Asked Iname.

No. You? I said truthfully. He looked a little surprised but slowly shook his head. Where you nervous? I asked. He nodded. I was a little taken aback by his silence.

You have no reason to be nervous, said Takiko. Not that I blame you. I was, too, when I first met the emperor. But he's a really nice man. When we both looked doubtful, she said forcefully, Really! He's quite nice. I'm not lying!

W-we don't think that you're lying, Takiko-sama. It's just.... I've never heard of a nice emperor. The one in Kutou is cruel and ruthless, Iname said.

O-oh.... Okay then..... And please drop the sama', Iname-san. I'm not your ruler. I don't know either of you that well. I don't know what you have been threw. But I hope that we can be friends. We nodded. I never expected to hear something like that from the Genbu no Miko. Since she was supposed to be so powerful, I had expected her to be stuck up. I had never imagined a young girl (she was barley younger than me) who actually seemed almost weak.

Takiko... If you don't mind me asking... How did you come into this world? I was surprised by my forwardness, but it was true that I had been wondering it for a while. She looked a little sad and said, Maybe later. I will tell you someday... It's just.... Well.... She sighed.

It's okay Takiko-sama. You don't have to tell us.

Drop the sama', Iname. It's annoying. Tomite already knows how I got here, but he's the only person. And I will tell you someday. That's a promise.
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Iname's POV

I had also been wondering how Takiko had come to our world. I was glad that Hatsui had asked. It had spared me the embarrassment. The three of us ate our breakfast as Takiko told us the uses of a telephone. (I forget how that subject came up.) By the end of the meal, both Hatsui and I where very confused but we where all laughing. As we began to pack up the dishes and leftover food in the blanket, I felt my happiness fade. Soon I would be meeting the emperor. I had tried to imagine him. But couldn't. A nice emperor. I had never heard of such a thing. Back in Kutou, I had heard that the Hokkan emperor was corrupt. Still... That was what Hokkan's enemies had said. I had heard many good things about him since I had come to this new country. The people of Hokkan seemed quite happy with him. Still... It was hard to just push aside the things that I had been taught as a child, even if I already knew that most of them where lies. It you are told things again and again a child, you begin to believe them no matter how much proof you get that they are lies.

We finished cleaning up and walked inside the palace. On the way to the throne room we passed a servant. Takiko gave her the blanket and other things with a smile and asked her to see to them. Before I knew it we where at the throne room. We waited for about five minutes and then the guard at the door let us in. Hikitsu and the emperor where already inside.

Hikitsu? What are you doing here? Takiko asked the older seishi.

Hikitsu said looking up. Oh, Takiko. You're here already. I was just discussing our next move with Heika-sama. We don't know how much longer we can hold off the Kutou solders and without the seishi and there powers, but we also need to find the last seishi so we can summon Genbu. Still, if we leave then the capital will probably be over run very quickly. He turned to me. We need your information. And quickly. The Emperor nodded.

Hikitsu, I know that you want to hear everything, but I will tell you anything new that happens later. Until then, could you please leave the room. I have to inform our two new comers of our position. Hikitsu smiled (It was the first time that I had ever seen him smile. and nodded.

Of course, your Highness.

Hikitsu-san, how many times do I have to tell you. Don't be so formal with me. Where friends. Hikitsu just bowed and left, still smiling. His Highness gave an exasperated sigh and then turned to us.

Takiko-san, how are you?

Fine, thank you.

And these must be your new seishi. Both of us nodded. Welcome. I hope that you will find your stay in my palace enjoyable. We talked for a long time. Then, finally Takiko and Hatsui left. I then told Heika-sama all that I knew about Kutou and there plans After I had finished, he looked troubled.

Is something wrong, Heika-sama?

Well... It's just that Kutou seems much stronger then we thought. He stood. I must leave and send some of our troupes to the tribes that you told me that they where planing to attack. Please give my regards to Takiko and your fellow seishi. It was a great honor to meet you, Iname. Even if this country isn't where you have lived before now, I hope that you will feel at home here. And with that, he walked from the room. i watched him leave, his last words echoing in my head. Even if this country isn't where you have lived before now, I hope that you will feel at home here.' Maybe it wasn't such a bad thing that I had betrayed the people of Kutou. I may have stopped Seriyuu from doing a horrible thing. I wasn't sure, but I thought that the god wouldn't hold that against me. Maybe after all this was done, I would go back home. Maybe there I would find forgiveness. Just as I had found friends here. And for the first time since I had joined the Genbu Seishi, I felt as if I belonged...
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~End of Chapter 18~

Ack! My Internet is completely down! I can't get any connection. That's why I have taken so long to get these chapters up. Sorry. My computer is really old (around five or six years) and is always having problems *Sniff* Anyway, more coming soon (if my Internet starts working). Please review!