Chapter 6 : Hope Beneath the Snow
"Nakago has Mayo!" Yui's voice shook. "She's in worse conditions then I thought!"
Tetsuya seemed quite unhappy. "How dare he talk about you like that!" he shouted.
Keisuke's head was in his hands, his beer can on the floor. "Let's just pray... and hope... that Mayo won't give in..."
"He wants her as his priestess...." Yui shuddered. "Keisuke, Tetsuya, He wants to summon Seiryu!"
**********************
Early in the morning the next day, a man walked in with news for Hotohori. "Your highness." A Magistrate approached Hotohori on his throne.
Hotohori looked down at the humbled man. "Yes, what is it?"
"An unexpected visitor has arrived." The bearded man informed. "It is the Ambassador of Hokkan."
Hotohori stood up from his chair. "The Ambassador of Hokkan? Why would he be here? Please send hi, in." Hotohori ordered, slowly seating himself.
In about a minute, two gold and red dressed guards came walking in, a woman following them. The guards bowed, and left the two alone.
"Ambassador, I am quite intrigued..."
"Your highness," the girl interrupted. "I have traveled from the northern land of Hokkan to offer you a word from our Emperor."
Hotohori stood up, walking down the stairs to be level with the girl. He walked so he was about five feet from her.
She was fairly young. She had dazzling green eyes, and long light brown hair that fell to her mid thighs. the top portion of her hair was pulled back into a bun held with two long picks, and the rest of it laid flat and straight. Scattered bangs covered the majority of her forehead, which had a thin, gold band on it. She wore an orangey-tan robe, the sleeves just covering the top of her shoulders, and it fell to her knees. Under the robe she wore matching long, black leggings and sleeves, which were very fitting. Hotohori was very curious to hear what the woman had to say. "Please, let us adjourn to my private study."
The ambassador nodded, following the Konan Emperor through a small hall and into a small room, which had several books in it, a square table, and three chairs. Hotohori motioned for her to sit, and she did. He sat across from her.
"Sire," She began, "Hokkan has been given word of your struggling with Kutou. We know Kutou is a very power-hungry land. Konan and Kutou have been fighting for ages, and my Emperor worries of what their fury will lead to." She paused, taking a breath. "We've consulted our elders, and we want what's best for our country. Kutou as been eyeing Hokkan for a very long time, and if they take over Konan, they will surely expand to us next. I have been selected to help in any aid Konan may need if a war does indeed break out. Shortly, Sire, I am here to suggest an alliance."
Hotohori seemed impressed by the girl's strong words. "May I ask what your name is?"
"Cheinun Akue, your highness." the brunette replied. She neither stuttered nor hesitated.
Hotohori eyed her. "Please, tell me of your proposal."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*chomp* *munch* *slurp*
Miaka readily shoved dozens of different kinds of food in her mouth, barely even savoring any of it. Nuriko and Taka sat across from her, frozen over their small plates.
"She sure does have an appetite..." Nuriko commented.
"She never lost it." Taka agreed. "It's the same one as before..."
Miaka stopped and stared at the two men, mouth full of food. She swallowed hard. "Aren't you too hungry?"
"I think you ate enough for both of us, Miaka." Nuriko said. He smiled, still finding Miaka's eating habits funny.
Taka swirled a single chopstick around on his plate. "Miaka, I wonder how everyone is doing, back home."
Miaka amazingly put down her utensils. "I'm sure Yui and the others are fine. Yui will take care of Hikari." She said reassuringly, though not too sure herself.
Nuriko sighed. "We're all just sitting around here, waiting for Kutou to hit. We need to go out an DO something!" Nuriko stood up, adjusting his yellow robe. He snapped his fingers. "I got it! The Star Festival is tomorrow, isn't it? There we go, something to look forward to, right Taka?" Nuriko slapped Taka playfully on the back, accidentally sending him flying face first into his food.
Taka pulled his head away from the mess, looking sideways.
"NURIKO!!!!!! HOW MANY TIMES MUST I REMIND YOU TO WATCH YOUR STRENGTH?!"
Nuriko just smiled and waved his hands in the air. "Sorry Tamakins..." he laughed. He picked up something from the table. "Here's a napkin..."
Hotohori stood up. He had been speaking to the Hokkan Ambassador for an hour.
"Please thank your emperor for his gracious offer." Hotohori said. "We will count on him for any aid Konan may need if fight breaks out." He looked at the girl thankfully. "I must say, you could be an answer to my problems and prayers. I'll arrange for a carriage to be sent back with you..."
"Sire, excuse my interruption." Akue spoke up. "But I wish to stay here in Konan. I wasn't just sent here as a negotiator, Highness. I wish to help. If you'll allow me, I would prefer to reside here, in the palace."
The woman was pretty straight-forward. Hotohori couldn't help but admire that. He nodded. "I will have a room prepared for you."
Akue smiled. "Thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "And this piece can move diagonally or between any two soldiers." Chiriko explained, pointing to the bird.
Saori nodded. "What's it called again?" She asked.
"The raven." Chiriko answered. "So, you have the King, soldier, raven, dragon, sword, and horse." Chiriko had the pieces neatly laid out. "You need to set up traps for the other player to fall into, and take bold moves to get where you want. A combination of both is the only way to win." Chiriko smiled.
Saori smiled too. "Sounds like fun." she looked at the board. "Will you play me? Just go a little easy, I'll be a worse player than Tasuki."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What are you doing out here?" Tasuki asked, walking towards the small lake.
"Focusing my chi." Chichiri replied. He sat on a large rock, legs crossed and hands together.
"Tasuki dear!" Nuriko yelled from the palace.
Tasuki swiveled around. "What?!" He yelled back.
"Do you want to go with us to the Star Festival tomorrow? It'll be fun! Miaka, Taka, and I are going!"
Tasuki shrugged. "Sure, why not."
Nuriko jumped and went back inside. Tasuki walked back to the palace. He was officially bored.
********************************************
Keisuke re-positioned himself on the white sofa. "With support from the country of Hokkan and the Seishi's bright outlooks, it seemed the Konan palace was in a fairly blissful state. However, Kutou spies cleverly got some information they weren't meant to hear..." Keisuke looked up.
Yui slammed her head into a pillow. "It never ends...."
Keisuke looked back at the book. "They reported it to their Master the next day..."
*****************************************
"The Hokkan Ambassador?" Nakago asked calmly, standing aside the emperor's throne.
"Yes, she was in the Konan palace with the Emperor yesterday. That is all we know." a man answered.
"Interesting..." Nakago commented, stroking his chin. "These people of Konan never cease to amaze me. Perhaps Konan sent out a plea for help." He turned to the emperor.
"Hokkan is a fairly large country." The emperor added. "Nearly as populated as we are. They could ruin our plans if they rage war along side Konan. It is easer to capture Konan first before we activate our plans for them." He turned to his general. "I don't like it, Nakago, and I want you to fix it."
"I send out one of my best." Nakago bowed, and left the room.
"Keep watching. Now go!" the emperor ordered to the spies, who quickly left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm hungry." Tasuki stated to none other than himself as he walked down a hall of the Konan palace. He had his hands in his pockets. "What do I want to eat? This place has pretty good pickings too... maybe I'll get something all fancy and what not..." He negotiated as he turned the corner.
*WHAM!*
Tasuki fell backward from the sudden impact. He rubbed his head and looked up. There was a girl sitting identical to how he was, rubbing her head as well.
Tasuki didn't recognize her. Slowly he stood up and offered a hand, which she took. He pulled her up and eyed her suspiciously. "Who the hell are you?" He asked bluntly, taking off any effect his help had provided.
The girl removed her hand from her forehead. "Maybe I should ask you that." She said stubbornly, squinting at the pain throbbing in her forehead.
"I asked first." Tasuki argued, sending back a childish comeback.
The woman, who was almost a head shorter than Tasuki, put her hands on her hips. "I don't see what business it is of yours, but I'm a guest of his majesty Hotohori." Apparently something had peeved her.
Tasuki was about to say something when a heavily robed magistrate came down the hall behind Akue.
"Ah!" He said, relieved. "Miss Cheinun, his Highness wishes to speak to you."
Akue turned around. "Thank you. Will you please guide me to him? I haven't quite learned my way around yet."
Tasuki seemed offended by her sudden politeness.
"Yes, please, follow me." The man turned around and walked back down the hall, Akue following.
Tasuki was frozen in place for a moment, then followed them, curiosity plaguing his mind.
"Sire, Lady Cheinun is here for you." The magistrate said, poking his head into the room from the outside. (which is literally outside.)
"Thank you, Heiki, please send her in." came Hotohori's reply.
The magistrate stepped out of the way and allowed Akue to pass.
In the room were Chichiri and Hotohori, they were set up around a square table with a map in front of them. Chichiri had his mask off.
Hotohori stood from his chair. "Akue, this is Chichiri of the Suzaku Seven."
Akue shook Chichiri's hand in disbelief. "You're one of the Suzaku Seven?" Chichiri nodded.
Akue bowed a short bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chichiri."
"I've decided to put you apparent 'skills' to work." Hotohori sat back down, drawing the attention of the two others. "I want to be as prepared as possible for a Kutou attack. Either of you, can you give advice for where you think Kutou would strike?"
Akue and Chichiri looked down at the map. A small 'X' marked the two neighboring cities where Kutou had already hit. Chichiri put his finger on the Kutou-Konan border and traced it down.
"My best guess would be here, Sire." He pointed out the opposite end of the border. One tactic they could use would be to even out the sides, slowly work their way in."
Hotohori took note of this. "Good, Chichiri. That makes sense."
"I don't think so."
Both men looked up at Akue, curious of her objection.
Akue leaned over the map, her thick hair draping over her arms. "I think they would attack here." She pointed to the marked cities. "That is where Kutou already attacked." Hotohori clearly stated.
"I know." Akue continued. "They'd attack above it, the cities of Ryoshin and Reita. That's where a majority of the survivors from the first attack would be, it's unexpected, and it moves them closer into the inland." Akue stood straight up again, scanning over the map once more.
Hotohori looked closely at where Akue had designated. "That's... that's pretty... good." He said, amazed. He looked up at the woman. "How did you know that?"
"Experience." Akue stated.
"Experience?" Chichiri asked. "There haven't been any wars involving Hokkan for over a century."
"Uh..." Akue bit her lip. "Is that all you need, Sire?" Hotohori stood up. "Yes, all for now."
"Someone's outside." Chichiri mentioned.
Hotohori looked towards the door. "Come in."
Hesitantly, the door opened, revealing the ever-curious redheaded bandit.
"Yes Tasuki, what is it?" Hotohori asked.
Tasuki looked around the room, confusion adding on. Chichiri slipped on his mask.
"Um.. yeah... Will you PLEASE explain to me what the HECK is going on?!!!" He breathed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The several guests in the palace sat once again around the long, rectangular table.
"I seem to have neglected informing all of you of our new guest." Hotohori apologized. "And for that I am very sorry." He motioned for Akue to stand up. She sat on Hotohori's left side, next to Taka. "This is Akue Cheinun, and she is an Ambassador from Hokkan. She has come to offer aid for our cause if it is needed." Hotohori looked to Akue. He went in order around the table. "Akue, this is Taka, Miaka, Nuriko, Saori, Chichiri, Mitsukake, Tasuki, and Chiriko." He turned personally to Akue. "The men here, including myself, are all members of the Suzaku seven." He pointed to Miaka. "And this girl is our priestess." Akue's eyes widened as she scanned around the table. "Get out!"
******************************
"The Hokkan Ambassador was thrilled to meet the legendary Suzaku Seven, and greeted each of them with suppressed excitement." Tetsuya read, yawning. "Unaware of an upcoming danger, the friends prepared for the yearly festival..."
******************************
"Nuriko! I'm so excited!!!" Miaka squealed. The nineteen year old still had her old self in her.
"Good!" Nuriko exclaimed.
"Should we get some shawls?" Taka asked, picking up some fabric out of a chest. "Isn't it kinda chilly this time of the year?"
"Eh, be a man and live with it." Tasuki joked. He turned to Chichiri and Chiriko, who were also in the room. "Are you sure you two ain't coming?"
Chiriko smiled. "No, I have studying to do."
A sweat drop ran down Tasuki's head. He didn't even bother for Chichiri's excuse. Instead, he turned to the 'newbee.' "Are you going to need anything to keep you warm?"
Saori looked up. "Um, if it's not too much trouble."
Miaka looked around. "where's Akue?" she asked.
Tasuki made a face. "Is she even coming?"
"I invited her..." Miaka said, looking around again. "Hold on just one minute, okay guys?"
There was a groan from the bandit.
Miaka ran through the halls of the palace, running up some stairs to where she believed Akue was staying.
She reached the door, and waited until she caught her breath. She stood up and knocked.
"Come in." directed a voice.
Miaka opened the door to face the girl who looked about her age. "Akue- san?" She asked the girl at a desk.
Akue finished writing something, then looked up with a smile. "Yes? Miaka, right?"
Miaka gave a sharp nod. "Will you please come to the star festival tonight? I'd... we'd really love to have you."
Akue's long hair was undone and flowed neatly over the back of the chair. "I have some stuff I need to finish..."
"PLEASE?" Miaka begged.
Akue laughed. "Alright. I've always wanted to see Konan's festivals. It's been a while since I have."
Miaka grinned wide. "Come on then!" she urged.
Akue laughed some more. "Alright alright! Give me a second!" She walked to the large dresser across from her bed and pulled out a brush and a hair tie. She quickly brushed the top of her hair back and fastened it into a ponytail, and brushed her bangs down. She turned to Miaka. "Let's go."
"Nakago has Mayo!" Yui's voice shook. "She's in worse conditions then I thought!"
Tetsuya seemed quite unhappy. "How dare he talk about you like that!" he shouted.
Keisuke's head was in his hands, his beer can on the floor. "Let's just pray... and hope... that Mayo won't give in..."
"He wants her as his priestess...." Yui shuddered. "Keisuke, Tetsuya, He wants to summon Seiryu!"
**********************
Early in the morning the next day, a man walked in with news for Hotohori. "Your highness." A Magistrate approached Hotohori on his throne.
Hotohori looked down at the humbled man. "Yes, what is it?"
"An unexpected visitor has arrived." The bearded man informed. "It is the Ambassador of Hokkan."
Hotohori stood up from his chair. "The Ambassador of Hokkan? Why would he be here? Please send hi, in." Hotohori ordered, slowly seating himself.
In about a minute, two gold and red dressed guards came walking in, a woman following them. The guards bowed, and left the two alone.
"Ambassador, I am quite intrigued..."
"Your highness," the girl interrupted. "I have traveled from the northern land of Hokkan to offer you a word from our Emperor."
Hotohori stood up, walking down the stairs to be level with the girl. He walked so he was about five feet from her.
She was fairly young. She had dazzling green eyes, and long light brown hair that fell to her mid thighs. the top portion of her hair was pulled back into a bun held with two long picks, and the rest of it laid flat and straight. Scattered bangs covered the majority of her forehead, which had a thin, gold band on it. She wore an orangey-tan robe, the sleeves just covering the top of her shoulders, and it fell to her knees. Under the robe she wore matching long, black leggings and sleeves, which were very fitting. Hotohori was very curious to hear what the woman had to say. "Please, let us adjourn to my private study."
The ambassador nodded, following the Konan Emperor through a small hall and into a small room, which had several books in it, a square table, and three chairs. Hotohori motioned for her to sit, and she did. He sat across from her.
"Sire," She began, "Hokkan has been given word of your struggling with Kutou. We know Kutou is a very power-hungry land. Konan and Kutou have been fighting for ages, and my Emperor worries of what their fury will lead to." She paused, taking a breath. "We've consulted our elders, and we want what's best for our country. Kutou as been eyeing Hokkan for a very long time, and if they take over Konan, they will surely expand to us next. I have been selected to help in any aid Konan may need if a war does indeed break out. Shortly, Sire, I am here to suggest an alliance."
Hotohori seemed impressed by the girl's strong words. "May I ask what your name is?"
"Cheinun Akue, your highness." the brunette replied. She neither stuttered nor hesitated.
Hotohori eyed her. "Please, tell me of your proposal."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*chomp* *munch* *slurp*
Miaka readily shoved dozens of different kinds of food in her mouth, barely even savoring any of it. Nuriko and Taka sat across from her, frozen over their small plates.
"She sure does have an appetite..." Nuriko commented.
"She never lost it." Taka agreed. "It's the same one as before..."
Miaka stopped and stared at the two men, mouth full of food. She swallowed hard. "Aren't you too hungry?"
"I think you ate enough for both of us, Miaka." Nuriko said. He smiled, still finding Miaka's eating habits funny.
Taka swirled a single chopstick around on his plate. "Miaka, I wonder how everyone is doing, back home."
Miaka amazingly put down her utensils. "I'm sure Yui and the others are fine. Yui will take care of Hikari." She said reassuringly, though not too sure herself.
Nuriko sighed. "We're all just sitting around here, waiting for Kutou to hit. We need to go out an DO something!" Nuriko stood up, adjusting his yellow robe. He snapped his fingers. "I got it! The Star Festival is tomorrow, isn't it? There we go, something to look forward to, right Taka?" Nuriko slapped Taka playfully on the back, accidentally sending him flying face first into his food.
Taka pulled his head away from the mess, looking sideways.
"NURIKO!!!!!! HOW MANY TIMES MUST I REMIND YOU TO WATCH YOUR STRENGTH?!"
Nuriko just smiled and waved his hands in the air. "Sorry Tamakins..." he laughed. He picked up something from the table. "Here's a napkin..."
Hotohori stood up. He had been speaking to the Hokkan Ambassador for an hour.
"Please thank your emperor for his gracious offer." Hotohori said. "We will count on him for any aid Konan may need if fight breaks out." He looked at the girl thankfully. "I must say, you could be an answer to my problems and prayers. I'll arrange for a carriage to be sent back with you..."
"Sire, excuse my interruption." Akue spoke up. "But I wish to stay here in Konan. I wasn't just sent here as a negotiator, Highness. I wish to help. If you'll allow me, I would prefer to reside here, in the palace."
The woman was pretty straight-forward. Hotohori couldn't help but admire that. He nodded. "I will have a room prepared for you."
Akue smiled. "Thank you."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ "And this piece can move diagonally or between any two soldiers." Chiriko explained, pointing to the bird.
Saori nodded. "What's it called again?" She asked.
"The raven." Chiriko answered. "So, you have the King, soldier, raven, dragon, sword, and horse." Chiriko had the pieces neatly laid out. "You need to set up traps for the other player to fall into, and take bold moves to get where you want. A combination of both is the only way to win." Chiriko smiled.
Saori smiled too. "Sounds like fun." she looked at the board. "Will you play me? Just go a little easy, I'll be a worse player than Tasuki."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"What are you doing out here?" Tasuki asked, walking towards the small lake.
"Focusing my chi." Chichiri replied. He sat on a large rock, legs crossed and hands together.
"Tasuki dear!" Nuriko yelled from the palace.
Tasuki swiveled around. "What?!" He yelled back.
"Do you want to go with us to the Star Festival tomorrow? It'll be fun! Miaka, Taka, and I are going!"
Tasuki shrugged. "Sure, why not."
Nuriko jumped and went back inside. Tasuki walked back to the palace. He was officially bored.
********************************************
Keisuke re-positioned himself on the white sofa. "With support from the country of Hokkan and the Seishi's bright outlooks, it seemed the Konan palace was in a fairly blissful state. However, Kutou spies cleverly got some information they weren't meant to hear..." Keisuke looked up.
Yui slammed her head into a pillow. "It never ends...."
Keisuke looked back at the book. "They reported it to their Master the next day..."
*****************************************
"The Hokkan Ambassador?" Nakago asked calmly, standing aside the emperor's throne.
"Yes, she was in the Konan palace with the Emperor yesterday. That is all we know." a man answered.
"Interesting..." Nakago commented, stroking his chin. "These people of Konan never cease to amaze me. Perhaps Konan sent out a plea for help." He turned to the emperor.
"Hokkan is a fairly large country." The emperor added. "Nearly as populated as we are. They could ruin our plans if they rage war along side Konan. It is easer to capture Konan first before we activate our plans for them." He turned to his general. "I don't like it, Nakago, and I want you to fix it."
"I send out one of my best." Nakago bowed, and left the room.
"Keep watching. Now go!" the emperor ordered to the spies, who quickly left.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I'm hungry." Tasuki stated to none other than himself as he walked down a hall of the Konan palace. He had his hands in his pockets. "What do I want to eat? This place has pretty good pickings too... maybe I'll get something all fancy and what not..." He negotiated as he turned the corner.
*WHAM!*
Tasuki fell backward from the sudden impact. He rubbed his head and looked up. There was a girl sitting identical to how he was, rubbing her head as well.
Tasuki didn't recognize her. Slowly he stood up and offered a hand, which she took. He pulled her up and eyed her suspiciously. "Who the hell are you?" He asked bluntly, taking off any effect his help had provided.
The girl removed her hand from her forehead. "Maybe I should ask you that." She said stubbornly, squinting at the pain throbbing in her forehead.
"I asked first." Tasuki argued, sending back a childish comeback.
The woman, who was almost a head shorter than Tasuki, put her hands on her hips. "I don't see what business it is of yours, but I'm a guest of his majesty Hotohori." Apparently something had peeved her.
Tasuki was about to say something when a heavily robed magistrate came down the hall behind Akue.
"Ah!" He said, relieved. "Miss Cheinun, his Highness wishes to speak to you."
Akue turned around. "Thank you. Will you please guide me to him? I haven't quite learned my way around yet."
Tasuki seemed offended by her sudden politeness.
"Yes, please, follow me." The man turned around and walked back down the hall, Akue following.
Tasuki was frozen in place for a moment, then followed them, curiosity plaguing his mind.
"Sire, Lady Cheinun is here for you." The magistrate said, poking his head into the room from the outside. (which is literally outside.)
"Thank you, Heiki, please send her in." came Hotohori's reply.
The magistrate stepped out of the way and allowed Akue to pass.
In the room were Chichiri and Hotohori, they were set up around a square table with a map in front of them. Chichiri had his mask off.
Hotohori stood from his chair. "Akue, this is Chichiri of the Suzaku Seven."
Akue shook Chichiri's hand in disbelief. "You're one of the Suzaku Seven?" Chichiri nodded.
Akue bowed a short bow. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Chichiri."
"I've decided to put you apparent 'skills' to work." Hotohori sat back down, drawing the attention of the two others. "I want to be as prepared as possible for a Kutou attack. Either of you, can you give advice for where you think Kutou would strike?"
Akue and Chichiri looked down at the map. A small 'X' marked the two neighboring cities where Kutou had already hit. Chichiri put his finger on the Kutou-Konan border and traced it down.
"My best guess would be here, Sire." He pointed out the opposite end of the border. One tactic they could use would be to even out the sides, slowly work their way in."
Hotohori took note of this. "Good, Chichiri. That makes sense."
"I don't think so."
Both men looked up at Akue, curious of her objection.
Akue leaned over the map, her thick hair draping over her arms. "I think they would attack here." She pointed to the marked cities. "That is where Kutou already attacked." Hotohori clearly stated.
"I know." Akue continued. "They'd attack above it, the cities of Ryoshin and Reita. That's where a majority of the survivors from the first attack would be, it's unexpected, and it moves them closer into the inland." Akue stood straight up again, scanning over the map once more.
Hotohori looked closely at where Akue had designated. "That's... that's pretty... good." He said, amazed. He looked up at the woman. "How did you know that?"
"Experience." Akue stated.
"Experience?" Chichiri asked. "There haven't been any wars involving Hokkan for over a century."
"Uh..." Akue bit her lip. "Is that all you need, Sire?" Hotohori stood up. "Yes, all for now."
"Someone's outside." Chichiri mentioned.
Hotohori looked towards the door. "Come in."
Hesitantly, the door opened, revealing the ever-curious redheaded bandit.
"Yes Tasuki, what is it?" Hotohori asked.
Tasuki looked around the room, confusion adding on. Chichiri slipped on his mask.
"Um.. yeah... Will you PLEASE explain to me what the HECK is going on?!!!" He breathed.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The several guests in the palace sat once again around the long, rectangular table.
"I seem to have neglected informing all of you of our new guest." Hotohori apologized. "And for that I am very sorry." He motioned for Akue to stand up. She sat on Hotohori's left side, next to Taka. "This is Akue Cheinun, and she is an Ambassador from Hokkan. She has come to offer aid for our cause if it is needed." Hotohori looked to Akue. He went in order around the table. "Akue, this is Taka, Miaka, Nuriko, Saori, Chichiri, Mitsukake, Tasuki, and Chiriko." He turned personally to Akue. "The men here, including myself, are all members of the Suzaku seven." He pointed to Miaka. "And this girl is our priestess." Akue's eyes widened as she scanned around the table. "Get out!"
******************************
"The Hokkan Ambassador was thrilled to meet the legendary Suzaku Seven, and greeted each of them with suppressed excitement." Tetsuya read, yawning. "Unaware of an upcoming danger, the friends prepared for the yearly festival..."
******************************
"Nuriko! I'm so excited!!!" Miaka squealed. The nineteen year old still had her old self in her.
"Good!" Nuriko exclaimed.
"Should we get some shawls?" Taka asked, picking up some fabric out of a chest. "Isn't it kinda chilly this time of the year?"
"Eh, be a man and live with it." Tasuki joked. He turned to Chichiri and Chiriko, who were also in the room. "Are you sure you two ain't coming?"
Chiriko smiled. "No, I have studying to do."
A sweat drop ran down Tasuki's head. He didn't even bother for Chichiri's excuse. Instead, he turned to the 'newbee.' "Are you going to need anything to keep you warm?"
Saori looked up. "Um, if it's not too much trouble."
Miaka looked around. "where's Akue?" she asked.
Tasuki made a face. "Is she even coming?"
"I invited her..." Miaka said, looking around again. "Hold on just one minute, okay guys?"
There was a groan from the bandit.
Miaka ran through the halls of the palace, running up some stairs to where she believed Akue was staying.
She reached the door, and waited until she caught her breath. She stood up and knocked.
"Come in." directed a voice.
Miaka opened the door to face the girl who looked about her age. "Akue- san?" She asked the girl at a desk.
Akue finished writing something, then looked up with a smile. "Yes? Miaka, right?"
Miaka gave a sharp nod. "Will you please come to the star festival tonight? I'd... we'd really love to have you."
Akue's long hair was undone and flowed neatly over the back of the chair. "I have some stuff I need to finish..."
"PLEASE?" Miaka begged.
Akue laughed. "Alright. I've always wanted to see Konan's festivals. It's been a while since I have."
Miaka grinned wide. "Come on then!" she urged.
Akue laughed some more. "Alright alright! Give me a second!" She walked to the large dresser across from her bed and pulled out a brush and a hair tie. She quickly brushed the top of her hair back and fastened it into a ponytail, and brushed her bangs down. She turned to Miaka. "Let's go."