Disclaimer: FY is not mine. Or it might have gone like this.
AN: Ah. So I'm back...from outer space...GAH! I hate that song...>.>
Toki: Thank you. >.> Seems I didn't exactly update 'soon', tho.
Hoshi: The problem is, he doesn't realize his wishes/prayers are anything special. Sure, he prays and believes his prayers will be answered. But having a specal ability of getting any wish he asks? Naw. Besides, that's one of the key things about the ability--his ignorance of it, so that only his purest(or at least most heartfelt) wishes get through.
Moon: XD Who doesn't like H/M, eh?
As I said, I want to keep as many of the thousand days as possible, but there will still be some skipping around/past boooring days.
1000 Days
Chapter 2: Musings
DAY 1
Morning came all to swiftly to the castle, andit seemed Hotohori had only just closed his eyes, when an urgent rapping on his door rudely awoke him. And I was having such a nice dream...
He gave an exasperated sigh, as his 'visitor' continued to abuse the poor wooden door to his room. Obviously his advisors had gotten wind of his plans. Well, unfortunately for them, Tai Yi Jun herself ordered me to go, they won't stop me this time! Well, without a formidible army and some hostiges, anyway. He shivered at the thought that they just might resort to such measures, given he chance. And that is why you do not arm paraniod advisors.
He frowned slightly as he glanced in a nearby mirror. He knew they only wanted what was best for the kingdom and him...but who said they knew? And besides, they had woken him up from a nice dream. A very nice dream. It had Miaka in it, and...
He frowned. Even his memories of it were hazy now. Blast. Another perfectly good morning ruined by those meddlesome advisors. And he was supposed to respect them? Oh, the tortures of being Emperor. Why couldn't I have been a peasant instead? A dashingly beautiful peasant, of course. The one that rescued Miaka instead. He bit off a curse. No! I can't think about that! I have to move on, and grow up about this...I have a kingdom to look after...
"Your Majesty! Please answer the door!"
Hotohori suppressed a groan. Speaking of that intrusive little kingdom...
"Do you realize how early this is?" He called lazily, hoping they would pick up his meaning, and give him a few hours peace in the morning for once. Of course, they had never figured it out before, but there was always hope.
"The sun has already risen! And we must speak to you about your highly questionable decision, Your Majesty!"
He sighed. And thus is hope quenched out. Suzaku, give me patience...
"...Think of Hong-nan! You cannot just run off again, Your Majesty! You only just returned!"
They were beginning to get on his nerves now. How would he ever finish preening when those insufferable 'advisors' would not quit that racket? Or that whining?
With an irritated sigh, he swept up to the door, and jerked it open, to stare down at the impatient advisors. Apparently some of his irritation showed in his glare, as several of the men took a few steps backward as he looked at them. "We shall make this concise and clear to you, and--Suzaku asour witness--ifwe have to repeat this to you even once,we will have you thrown in the dungeons for trespassing, and appoint the Seraglio as stewardesses whilewe are gone." He spoke in a cool, calm voice, but all execept for a few of the men paled considerably. "We am on a mission from the great Tai Yi Jun, who handed out the original Universe of the Four gods scrolls to the four kingdoms, and nothing you, or anyone short of Suzaku himself can say, will deter us."
"B-but Hong-nan..."
He gave them a warning glare. "Don't makeus repeat ourself."
The men nodded quickly, and even the most obstinant of the advisors seemed somewhat nervous about his 'new' aditude. His menacing atmosphere was ruined, however, by a girlish giggle from the entrance to his suite.
"Remind me not to bother you before your coffee, Hotohori!"
He could not help the slight smile when he looked up at the girl that had spoken. "Good morning, Miaka."
-1000-1000-1000-
She could not help getting up early. There was so much to do before they went off on the quest! And afterward I'll finally be with Tamahome! She suppressed an excited squeal in favor of a soft, dreamy sigh. I can't wait until all this is over! Yui will be my best friend again, I'll be Tamahome's wife...and Hong Nan will never have to worry again!
Her thoughts were interrupted by a low growl. Not a particularly menacing one, it was far too silky smooth to be threatening, but a growl nonetheless. "Don't makeus repeat ourself."
She glanced up in surprise. Only a few feet away, several men dressed in garish robes cowered in front of...Hotohori. The man was standing in his doorway, glaring down at his advisors with an irritated frustration. His hair was mussed somewhat, and his robes were disheveled from sleep.
A faint smile formed on her lips, it was somehow...cute. She could not help a slight giggle. I guess he doesn't like his beauty sleep getting interrupted!
Brown eyes glanced up in surprise, and scanned the hallway quickly, before meeting hers.
"Remind me not to bother you before you get you're coffee!"
A soft smile graced his features, and she felt her heart give a solid thump. Oh, darn it! Why does he have to be so...so...pretty! this happens every time! It's not fair! I'm in love with Tamahome, this only makes things confusing!
She realized she was spacing out, when a look of concern passed across the man's face. "Miaka? What is it?"
No! Don't blush! Don't blush, silly girl!
She put on her best smile. "Oh, nothing, just thinking."
There was that smile again, and that familiar tug in her chest. "That's good...wht were you thinking about, Miaka?"
She blinked. Think! Quick! "I...was thinking about what we were going to have to do to leave."
He was silent for a moment, before nodding slightly. "Do not worry yourself over it, Chiriko has already planned it out. We must only pack and leave."
One of the more bold advisors spoke up. "A-about that, Your Majesty..."
"We said no!" His brown eyes flashed dangerously as he turned on his advisors. "Our decision is final. Now...if you would excuse us, we would liketo prepare ourself to leave."
He looked up at her for a moment. His dark brown eyes were so expressive, there was such a passion and innocent longing in them that she felt her chest constricct. The moment seemed forever, and she wondered whether she might pass out from lack of air, before he finally spoke."You should prepare as well, Miaka."
As he disappeared once more into his room, and the disgruntled advisors disappeared, Miaka fell heavily into the wall, clutching her chest where her heart had felt like it would stop. What's wrong with me? How can I be feeling like this? I just decided I don't love him! This can't be right!
She sighed. Oh, Tamahome, where did you disappear to this morning? I need you...
-1000-1000-1000-
He could see it in her eyes, it practically radiated off of her as she stood there in the corridor. The undisguised love...For him.Had he truly gone mad? Could he be seeing things?
No...I can't be. But then why did she say those things? Why can't she at least try to love me instead? He slammed a fist onto his desk in frustration. Stop it! I can't think like that! It's over, she chose Tamahome, and I must live with that fact, and stop acting like an immature child! I am Emperor of Hong-Nan! I cannot afford to allow myself to act in such a way!
He sighed, placing his head in his hands. "Suzaku help me, I love her too much...What am I supposed to do?"
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he turned toward his amoire.There is no more time to waste...today we leave.
-1000-1000-1000-
The day was bright and beautiful,the skyshowed no hint of the storm that had flooded the rivers onlytwo daysearlier. The rain that had claimed Amiboshi's life.
Miaka frowned slightly. Amiboshi...you weren't really evil, were you? I...I just can't believe that! You were just as much a victim of that Nakago'splotting as everyone else!
"It's a shame." Nuriko's voice broke into Miaka's thoughts, as the effeminant woman walked up. "Tonight's the stargazingfestival. If we weren't leaving, I'd want to go."
Miaka glanced up at the dark haired man. "Star Gazing festival? What's that?"
"It's a night where allthe citizensinHong-Nan that can makeit,come toRong-Yang. It's a celebration of the 28 constellations and the four gods."
"All of them?"
Nuriko smiled. "Yes, Miaka. Seiryu himself isn't evil, neither are his constellations...not every time anyway."
"What?"
"We areever reborn, over and over again,every cycle there is another priestess and anotherset ofwarriors. Just because Qu-Dong has become tainted thistime, doesn't mean a different time our roles weren't different."
Miaka shivered slightly. Evil? Suzaku? I can't even imagine it!
Nuriko slapped her on the back reassuringly. "Don'tworry about it, Miaka, all that really matters is this lifetime, right?"
"I guess..." Miaka frowned. "But..."
"Hey! Come on, you two!" Tamahome was waving frantically in the distance. "It's time to go! We're leaving with or without you!"
Miaka rolled her eyes. "Oh, you are not!"
-1000-1000-1000-
He took a deep breath of the crisp forestair. It was so much better than the crowded city, or even to perfumed palace--whose walls pressed in on all sides constantly. Birds twittered in nearby trees and small woodland animals darted through the brush on the edges of the trailthey wereridingon.
Beautiful. Ohthat I could be here forever instead of that horrible prison they call a palace. He gave a small sigh as he glaced back at his fellow warriors. I have been so out of sorts lately. Ever since Miaka returned injured andsobbing...Ifind myself increasinglymelodramatic. It'squite pathetic, really.
"Majesty?" The calm voice of Chichiridriftedtoward him, as the strange monk steered his horse closer. "There is something on your mind? No da."
Hesmiled slightly. "Not exactly, Chichiri, I was simply thinking."
"About what, if I may ask? No da?"
"I would...never mind, it is nothing, Chichiri."
Chichiri fell silent for a few moments, before speaking again. "Something is wrong, no da."
"What?" Hotohori frowned. He's never this intrusive normally...can he not see I wish to be left to my thoughts?
"I can feel it. Something about all of this seems wrong, no da."
Hotohori blinked a moment, before processing what the blonde monk was saying. "Wrong? What?"
Chichiri shook his head. "I don't know. But you should be on your guard all the same. No da."
Hotohori nodded. "Very well, pass the message on to theotherwarriors--but don't worryMiaka with it, she has enough trouble already."
"As you command,You Majesty. No da." Chichiri paused a moment, smiling mask watching him impassively, beforefinally speaking. "You should know I would never intrudeon your life unwelcome, Majesty. No da."
Hotohorisighed. "Thank you, Chichiri. I think I would like to be alone fornow."
Chichiri nodded. "Very well, I will tell the others.Butweshouldstop soon, the sun is already setting on our first day of thetrip. No da."
"Alright. We'll stop soon."
Hothori supressed a sigh as the monk rode away. One day...it slipped away so fast...I wonder how many I have left before I lose her forever? Oh, Suzaku, I wish these days could last forever.
End day 1
AN: Ah! I got another chapter! Miracles DO happen! Well, I've been in the mood for some H/M lately...and there have been entirely too little H/M updates lately! It's terrible!
/sigh/ Must I take the burden alone:P
-Yusagi Sombermoon