Lonely Angel
Disclaimer: I do not own any bit of this story, Fushigi Yugi belongs to Yuu Watase, and Harry Potter/Hogwarts belongs to J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros.
Author's Note: Hey hey hey! Rough draft is now 114 pages in word! I'm having trouble with this story though. I had the whole thing outlined and planned out before I started writing, but Nozomi is a stubborn heroine, and refuses to follow the plot. So I've been improvising because, a) she won't take no for an answer, and b) I've come to realize that she is actually much smarter than I am, as my plot was far too boring and uneventful. So that's why the updates have been slower than I planned. But I am not abandoning it! So never fear, and please feel free to shower me with ideas. I might not use the exact one you give me, but it might spark another idea in my head.
Female Problems…And Problematic Females.
It was midday before they reached the village, the sun beating down on everyone's backs, while farmer's worked, and others rode on horseback, like Nozomi and her four companions. Even with the almost unbearable heat, everyone seemed in a very good mood. All but one.
With a sense of worry, Nozomi saw a faint shadow sitting in the alley next to them. She could be mistaken, but it looked like a young child, crying. Surprising Hotohori and the others to no end, she quickly dismounted, and went to investigate. Sure enough, it was a young girl, no more than six years old, crying softly. Nozomi reached a hand out to comfort the youngster, who jumped at her gentle touch. "What's wrong?"
"I c-can't find m-m-my way h-home." She sobbed, looking desperately into Nozomi's eyes.
Smiling reassuringly at the youngster, Nozomi said, "Well, we'll solve that easily. Here, hold my hand, and we'll find your parents, okay?"
So, hand in hand, they walked out to the bright sunshine, and into the view of the worried warriors Nozomi had so suddenly left. "She's lost." She said by way of explanation. "I told her we'd help her find her parents."
Once they'd ascertained that the girl didn't know anyone around here, they asked her what her parents' names were, and started asking the adults if they knew where the couple lived. Soon the whole village knew about the young girl's plight, and was touchingly concerned about her.
When the small child revealed that her parents were only passing through on business, all of the adults directed them towards the only inn in the village. Once there, they asked the receptionist if the girl's parents were guests, and to their relief, they were. Her father was out looking for her, but her mother had stayed in case she returned. The receptionist was busy, though, and didn't have time to show them to the room, so she called for her assistant.
"Boy! Quit studying, I have a job for you!" Soon the pattering of little feet was heard coming towards them, and a small boy appeared, though he didn't look like a boy at first glance, and didn't look much older than the girl they were escorting to her parents. "Show these people to the Chou's room."
"Yes, right away, ma'am. Come this way, please." And their miniscule guide promptly proceeded to twist and turn through the corridors, taking them through obvious shortcuts he had found while working here, finally stopping after what seemed like endless changes in direction. "This is the Chou's room." The boy made as if to go, but Nozomi quickly stopped him.
"I'm sorry, but could you stay for a little bit, otherwise I'm sure we won't be able to find our way out."
Looking her in the eyes for the first time, the boy blurted out, "Of course, Miko-sama" before he'd even thought about it. Everyone was shocked, but by unspoken mutual consent, no one mentioned it until their charge was safely delivered into the delighted arms of her mother. When the door was closed once more, Nozomi turned to the boy.
"How did you know that I'm the priestess?" Her voice held no accusations, only curiosity.
"My symbol started glowing when I looked at you." Everyone jumped at the word 'symbol'. "Didn't you know? I'm the Suzaku warrior known as Chiriko." And Chiriko lifted up his robes slightly to reveal the shining character for 'stretch' on his left foot. No one knew what to say, until Tasuki interrupted the moment of tension with characteristic bluntness.
"You're the fifth warrior? Yer about six!" Everyone in the group either sweatdropped, or shook their head at the bandit, except Chiriko.
"I know I look very young for my age, but I am 13. My warrior gift is intelligence. And to answer your next question, I would be honored to come with you and serve you as one of your celestial warriors, Miko-sama."
Hesitantly, Nozomi smiled at the young boy in front of her. "That's wonderful, Chiriko, but what about your parents? I can't imagine they'd want their son wandering around the country, looking for two more warriors."
"I only have an elderly mother and an older brother. My brother can take care of things. They only made me take this job because they thought so much studying was bad for me."
"When do you get to go home?"
"Not until evening, Miko-sama."
"Please, call me Nozomi. I can never get used to the whole –sama thing. We have another stop to make in this village, so do you mind if we come back and get you after you're done working? Then we'll go and talk to your mother."
"That's fine. And I'm sure my mom won't mind. She's known that I would have to go eventually."
"Well, I'd still like to talk to her. We'll be back in time to walk you home."
With that, they left Chiriko to continue his job, or studying or whatever it was that he did, and Tasuki grudgingly led the way to his childhood home. As they approached the neat, modest house, they spotted a red headed woman chopping firewood. Unnoticed, Tasuki crept to the back of the group.
"Excuse me, miss." Nozomi interrupted politely. "My name is Nozomi Elendi, I'm the Priestess of Suzaku, and these are the warriors I've found so far. Could I talk to you for just a minute? I won't take up much of your time."
The woman looked over her appraisingly. "If you're looking for that no-good brother of mine, he's not here. He's over on Mt. Reikaku, pretending to be a bandit."
Trying not to show her surprise at this description of Tasuki, she said, "That's actually not why we're here, we've already found Tasuki as a matter of fact, he's…"Nozomi looked around for him. "Wait, where is he? Oh, there he is, back there."
At her words, Tasuki inched into his sister's view, and the two immediately got into a verbal fight more ferocious than most physical battles, though they did nearly come to blows a few times, and not necessarily with fists. Amazing what a young woman can do with a log. The other four people just stood back in astonished silence. Finally Tamahome broke their silence, though he could barely be heard over the brawling siblings.
"Damn. No wonder he hates women." Silently sweat-dropping, everyone nodded their agreement. Nozomi tried shouting to disrupt the fight that was still going strong, but no one paid any attention. She tried to think of a way she could gain their attention. 'Shouting didn't work, and I'm not risking life and limb just stepping into the middle of that, let's see, disc-man, no, pepper spray, definitely not, money, no, wand…yes, I could do something with the wand, but what? Ah! I know!'
Lifting the wand high above her head, it released a sound much like a gun going off, effectively stopping the argument in its tracks. "Thank you. I'm sorry to interrupt this really touching reunion, but I need to talk to you." With that, Nozomi didn't give the woman, whose name was apparently Aidou, the chance to respond before practically dragging her into the house. With Tasuki leading the way, the men followed suit.
Once inside the house, Aidou shook herself free. "Really, miss, you didn't have to drag me."
"Yes, I did. I didn't want you and Tasuki to fight anymore. And well, I need to talk to a woman. No men."
Shrugging, Aidou agreed. "Alright, miss, I'll take you to my mother. The rest of you can stay here, and make yourselves at home."
After the women left, the men shamelessly tried to eavesdrop on the conversation, only to be punched out by Nuriko. Except for Hotohori, of course, who was too dignified and respectful to look like he was eavesdropping anyway. He couldn't hear much, only a single word here and there.
'Pills…pain… cycle. What are they talking about? Nozomi said it was a personal problem. What kind of problem could she not tell me about? She knows I love her, I'd never hurt her, why can't she trust me with this? And how can she be so sure I couldn't help her? And why'd she say pain? Is she in pain? Is there something wrong with her? Oh, why won't she tell me?'
After the third time Nuriko had to punch Tasuki away from the door he was trying to eavesdrop through, an amused feminine voice interrupted.
"Hey, I don't know who you are, but I like you already." All warriors, except Tasuki, who merely groaned, turned around and inspected the woman standing in the doorway.
She was obviously one of Tasuki's many sisters, as she had the characteristic fire red hair, and fair skin. She was, however, much older than Aidou or Tasuki.
"What are you doing here?" Tasuki rather rudely demanded.
Without a word spoken, she slapped the back of his head so hard, it was surprising he didn't get whiplash. "Is that any way to speak to your sister? And besides, I didn't know you were here, Shunu-chan, I came to see mother. Now where are your manners? Introduce me to your friends." At Tasuki's reluctance, she slapped him again and demanded a little more forcefully, "Now!"
One by one he introduced the warriors. "And guys, this is my oldest sister Lian."
"Oh, is the priestess here? I want to meet her!"
"She's in with Mom. Apparently she needs to have 'girl talk', and we're not allowed in."
"Hmm…I think I probably know what they're talking about."
Everyone perked up, including Nuriko, because even though he knew what it was, he was surprised that Lian had picked it up so quickly.
"Yes, she must be asking Mom exactly how to put up with you." When Tasuki's face reddened in anger, she smirked in victory and added, "Just kidding. Had to see if I still had it. Can't let you have too much fun, eh, little brother?"
Just as Tasuki seemed ready to explode, another voice broke the tension. "Hey Lian! Is Mom in? I need to talk to her about spoiling her grandchildren! Honestly, enough is enough." As she entered the doorway, she spotted the others, and her gaze lingered on Tamahome. "Oh, hi there. I didn't realize we had visitors." She sauntered up to Tamahome, clearly checking him out. "I'm Mai. Who are you?"
By this time, Tamahome practically matched Tasuki's redness. "T-T-Tamahome."
Walking slightly closer, she practically purred, "Nice to meet you, Tamahome."
Rolling her eyes at her sister, Lian walked up and pulled the flirty girl away from the ever grateful warrior. "Control yourself Mai, or the poor guy's going to explode. Not to mention you have no right. Your flirting days are over, little sister."
Sighing, Mai agreed. "Such a pity that I'm married."
Yet another voice interrupted the already chaotic surroundings. "Xian-shi not proving enough of a challenge for you Mai? Don't say I didn't warn you!" Smiling at the guests, the newcomer continued. "Don't mind Mai, she just married someone who is far too weak-willed for her. Since she's bored, she takes up flirting." Bowing to the assemblage, she introduced herself. "I'm Paliu, it's nice to meet you all.
"Ahh, Shunu-chan, you're back? Did you get tired of those smelly bandits and come back to the family you never should have left?"
"Shut up, sister! For your information, I did not want to come here."
Hurt flashed briefly in Paliu's eyes, but she quickly covered it up. "Come on, when you're gone, I don't have anyone to pick on."
Tasuki muttered something that sounded suspiciously like, "Bother your kids for a change."
Brightening up in a way that was a little frightening to all the men, not just Tasuki, she declared with enthusiasm, "That's alright; I'll just have to make the most of it when you are here!"
Before anyone could react, she had grabbed the lapel of Tasuki's jacket, and dragged him outside. Vaguely, you could here her gleeful shouting of, "I'll get the bandit stink off you!" followed by slightly sadistic laughter.
The remaining girls were clearly trying not to laugh, and Lian arranged her features into a fake sympathetic look. "Poor Shunu-chan. He would have been better off with our merciful teasing, eh, Mai?"
Nodding in agreement, Mai responded, "Yes indeed, at least we know when to stop. Paliu has far too much energy." Turning to Tamahome, she scared the warrior out of his wits, as she had a look far too reminiscent of Paliu's before she dragged Tasuki outside.
"Y-Yes?" he stuttered while trying to subtly inch towards the door and freedom. 'Damn, I haven't stuttered this much since…well…ever. She's way too scary. I really understand why Tasuki hates women.'
Mai watched as his adam's apple bounced up and down in his nervousness. Oh, how she loved this part. In spite of what Paliu implied, she loved her husband very much, and was happy with him, but she enjoyed knowing that she was still woman enough to make a man sweat. Xian-shi understood that, the darling, and knew she would never take it too far.
Her face switching to excited innocence in a split second, she asked, "Where's the priestess, I want to meet her!"
Exhaling a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding, Tamahome visibly slumped against the wall in relief. Unfortunately, he didn't think he could speak right now. However, Hotohori saved him the trouble.
"She is speaking with your mother. She insisted that she needed to talk to one or all of you, but she won't tell us what it is."
"Oh, girl talk, huh? Well I'm sure Mom can help her. She gets that kind of thing a lot, you know."
"What do you mean?" Nuriko asked.
"There are quite a few girls in this village who live only with fathers and brothers. When they have a, shall we say, feminine question, they usually come to Mom."
With Tasuki taken prisoner outside, the two remaining women were surprisingly polite, and conversation continued fairly normally. Little did they know however, that Nozomi and the head female of the house had done a little eavesdropping of their own.
Quietly shutting the door when they realized the show was over for now, they tiptoed away, only to burst out laughing.
"Okay, come on, I'll give you the supplies you'll need now. If we leave them for too long, my daughters will start getting bored."
Trying to keep a straight face, and failing miserably, Nozomi said, "I don't think poor Tamahome could handle Mai getting bored again. I've never seen him sweat that much."
After about forty-five minutes of pure torture, and then polite conversation, Nozomi came out, profusely thanking a woman who could only be Tasuki's mother. "I hope you realize how much I appreciate this. I would have been in a very awkward situation if you hadn't helped me."
"When would it have become awkward?"
"Tomorrow."
"Cutting it kind of close. Though I suppose you were stuck with all those idiot bandits for three days, so it couldn't be helped."
"Not really. Thank you again. You have no idea how much it helped to be able to talk to you, and not just about that." Once everyone was out of the house, which wasn't accomplished until everyone had had tea together, Nozomi turned to them, a little confused, and said, "Where's Tasuki?"
Two men exchanged a dark look. "He's fallen to the enemy." Tamahome gravely declared.
Pretending she didn't know what they were talking about, since she didn't want them finding out that she had seen almost the whole interaction with Tasuki's sisters, Nozomi reiterated, "The enemy?"
"He has been kidnapped by an alien species." This, surprisingly enough, came from Hotohori, who in truth had been shocked enough at the actions of the women to half believe that they were aliens.
Rolling his eyes, for he had seen much worse in the harem, Nuriko translated. "Paliu dragged him outside, kicking and screaming."
A face poked out of a window, and a gentle, masculine voice said, "She usually takes him two fields over that way." Turning around, everyone saw Tasuki's father for the first time, who was pointing in the direction he meant.
"Thank you, sir."
"Better rescue him soon, or you might not be able to distinguish him from the field."
Not quite understanding his meaning, Nozomi thanked him anyway, and headed off in the direction he had indicated. The sight that met them made Tamahome's, Hotohori's, and even Nuriko's eyes widen in horror. Nozomi couldn't restrain herself in time, and ended up laughing, much to the surprise of the other three males.
"Oh no, that's not funny." Tamahome insisted.
"Indeed, I must agree. This is most heinous."
"Poor Tasuki." Nuriko said with his hand to his throat.
"I'm sorry, but it's not everyday I see a quick-tempered, macho man covered from head to toe in flower wreaths." Taking a couple of quick breaths and fanning herself, Nozomi calmed down.
She certainly hadn't been exaggerating. The only indication that it was indeed Tasuki under all those floral arrangements was the red-orange hair peeking between blooms and the curses issuing from the bundle of joy. Paliu appeared completely oblivious to his displeasure, and was happily humming while constructing another flowery monstrosity to wrap around her hapless sibling.
Tamahome, in a rare display of comradeship, started forward to rescue the unfortunate young man.
As he approached though, he failed to realize one important detail. His adversary was aware of his movements, and was plotting accordingly.
Paliu's movements changed not at all while she watched the blue haired one approach. Another helpless victim to pretty up. Sneaking a look to the priestess and her two companions, she evaluated the other male. He was pretty enough, unless he tried to interfere, he could escape her clutches. Her brother however, and his friend now heading this way both needed a lesson in fashion, Paliu style.
Once the man was within reach, and before even his matial arts trained senses could react, she pounced.
"You want to play too? Yay! Here's a necklace!" Unceremoniously draping the flowers around his neck, she then grabbed him by the shoulders, forcing him into a sitting position. "You just stay right here, and I'll make more for you!"
Tamahome stood up, and reached for the necklace, fully intending on ripping it off and taking Tasuki with him. 'I'll have to remember to thank my sisters for not being like this. Damn women.'
"Don't move, man."
Confused, Tamahome turned to his fellow warrior. "Why not?"
"It'll only get worse if you move. Trust me."
Trying, and failing to act tough, Tamahome scoffed. "Like I'm scared of one woman. We'll get away, and she can't stop us." As he talked, Tamahome ripped off the necklace, destroying it in the process.
"Idiot." Tasuki mumbled under his breath.
At the sound of falling flowers, Paliu looked up to see her handiwork being fully unappreciated. Tears filled her eyes and threatened to fall. A couple of pitiful sniffles completed the devastating picture.
Almost as soon as he saw the crushed female, Tamahome went into panic mode. He couldn't stand to see women cry. He never knew what to do. "Please, please don't cry, yell, scream, attack, whatever, just don't cry!"
Somehow managing a stern pout, Paliu managed one more sniffle before she started ordering him about. "Then sit down, and put that necklace back together. I worked hard on that for you. And wear this crown I just finished."
Fully frightened of the tears reappearing, Tamahome did exactly as she said. Not that she gave him a choice. When she put the flower crown on his head, she used some sort of feminine device to secure it in his hair. The darn thing couldn't come off even if he wanted it to. His subtle attempts to dislodge it all ended in failure.
"I told you not to move." Tasuki could look a little smugly at Tamahome, now that his position was worse than his own. Misery loves company, after all.
Watching from afar, Nozomi couldn't help but admire Paliu's technique. She had successfully subdued two of Suzaku's chosen warriors without a single show of force. If she just focused on that angle, she could almost contain the laughter that was earning her glares from both her companions, Hotohori in particular.
Nuriko was torn; the female in her was on Nozomi's side, admiring Paliu's technique. However, the growing male in him was shouting sympathy for Tamahome and Tasuki.
Hotohori however, with empirical decisiveness, had decided that this had gone on quite long enough. He strode forward to rescue his two fallen comrades.
Nozomi's hand on his arm stopped him mid-stride. "Judging by what we just saw, any male that attempts a rescue will only be trapped as well. I'll get them out." At Hotohori's indignant glare, she continued. "Don't worry; I'll be sensitive to their bruised pride."
Sneaking up behind Tasuki, she gently plucked his sakura crown from his hair, and dropped it on her own head. When he turned to look at her, she smiled and asked, "Ready to go?"
Ripping the flowers away from his person, Tasuki muttered, "About damn time." But Nozomi noticed that he was careful not to draw Paliu's attention. Once he was flower free, he threw a shocked Nozomi over his shoulder, and said, "Let's go." and took off at an amazing speed that had everyone's head spinning, Tamahome not far behind.
The Campsite, That Night
'I don't tell you these things, Hotohori. You're not important enough to me for that. You see, I'm in love with Nuriko, so only she gets to know what I'm thinking and feeling. Goodbye, Your Majesty.'
Nozomi walked away from him, not responding to his desperate call, and when his hand reached out to detain her, it grasped only air.
Hotohori woke with a start. Soon relief flowed through him, causing his ragged breathing to begin to slow. It had only been a dream. Looking towards Nozomi to gain some comfort from her sleeping face, shock went through him again to find that she was not there. Following his instincts, he headed towards a more secluded area. After battling with stubborn bushes for a few minutes, he came to a clearing where Nozomi had her wings outstretched, and was looking at the night sky.
A gentle breeze brushed her hair, and carried a few stray feathers his direction. He also caught the slight scent of vanilla that seemed to be always near her. As he watched, she folded her wings, and then stretched them out to their full length again. Only when she began flapping them as if about to take flight did he speak.
"Wait." Thinking she was alone, Nozomi jumped at the sudden, but soft, voice. Turning around, though she already knew who it was, she looked enquiringly at the young emperor. Still softly, he spoke again. "You're not going anywhere, are you?"
"No, don't worry. I'm just stretching my wings; they get a little sore during the day. What are you doing up?"
"I woke up and noticed you were gone. I was worried."
"I didn't mean to worry you. I guess I'm still not used to people seeing my wings. I've hidden them for so long, I get a little nervous when they're out in the open." Nozomi paused to look at Hotohori more closely. "Are you cold? You're shaking slightly." Kneeling down, she picked up her discarded cloak the bandits had loaned her, and wrapped it around his shoulders.
"Won't you be cold?"
"No. You see, I have a built in cloak." To demonstrate, she wrapped her wings around her body, effectively shielding it from the night. "These feathers are surprisingly warm. But you look like you need to talk. Am I right?"
"No." Nozomi arched an eyebrow. "Yes." She smiled, sat down, and patted the soft grass next to her. "I'm not sure what I need to talk about, really. Maybe nothing, maybe I just need to talk to you. You see, before I woke up, I dreamt that you walked out of my life forever, without a backward glance or a single friendly word, and there was nothing I could do."
"Oh Hotohori, come here." With those words, she pulled him in to a comforting hug, wrapping not only her arms, but her wings around him too. "I would never do that. I promise I will always have a friendly word and a smile for you." Slowly she let him out of her embrace, though she still grasped his shoulders. "How could I not? You've become like family to me, and family sticks together."
"Do you only think of me as family?"
"What do you mean?"
"I had hoped, if you remember, that you would come to regard me as more than family. I love you." This time Hotohori drew her in for a hug. "I know you like me, but do you love me?"
As Nozomi stumbled around for words, she unconsciously clung even tighter to Hotohori, and buried her face deeper into his chest. Right now, as her emotions and thoughts tumbled in an unbelievable mess, she needed his soothing presence, which if she hadn't been so nervous, would have told her something about her feelings for him.
Before she could form any kind of answer, they were trapped in a net.
"Well well, isn't this touching. Looks like we've interrupted a little love scene."
Nozomi glared at the rude man, who was currently sporting a massive black cloak. Still glaring at him, she burned the ropes of the net, only to have her fire bounce back and burn her.
"I wouldn't be trying that again, Miko-sama." He said with sarcasm dripping acidly off his tongue. "We know about your little fire trick, and have taken the necessary precautions. And as a bonus for waiting to catch you, we now have the emperor as well. Oh, the General will be pleased."
"And which General would that be?" Nozomi asked bitingly.
A nasty smirk settled on the man's features. "The General of the whole Kutou army, of course."
The only thing Nozomi had a chance to say before they were flown off into the night was, "Oh boy."