Summery; Warning; Disclaimer: See First Chapter.

Alrighty, next chapter is up! Thanks to all who reviewed, by the way. Now that my other FY fic is complete, I'm working on this one. What do you guys think about an AmiboshixOC fic as well? Any takers?

Please review if you read. Comments, ideas, suggestions, and helpful criticism welcome.

"That girl's gonna be useless for whatever the hell she's here for," Tasuki grumbled later the next morning, and Chichiri tried to remain patient as he attempted to mediate by the small pond in Houki's private gardens. He understood that it was hard for Tasuki to accept being a Warrior once more, having lost their companions one by one three years ago, but Chichiri also knew that it was their destiny and that it seemed another young woman needed their, no matter what their personal feelings on the subject may be.

"Tasuki…"

"I mean, I wanna be a bandit, not follow some girl around for the rest of my life," Tasuki continued, not noticing Chichiri's eyebrow twitch.

"Tasuki…"

"What a pain. I don't see why the hell we can't go back, anyway," he complained. "I don't wanna stay in this damn palace! It's too cooped up – and all these women!"

"Tasuki!"

"Huh?" the bandit blinked, finally hearing Chichiri's now-yelling, and backed up as the monk rose to his feet. "What?"

"Good day, Lord Chichiri. And Lord Tasuki," Bo added dryly, gazing at the bandit with a steady look that made him turn red.

"Good day, Bo. And to you, Lady Kae," Chichiri nodded to the girl who was trying – in vain – to hide behind the older woman, wearing simple robes of green and white.

"G-good day," she managed in a whisper, bowing low to the two Warriors and plucking Bo's sleeve anxiously. The attendant smiled patiently at the two young men before turning away, leading Kae on a tour of the gardens. "It's ridiculous, a woman my age acting like a child!" Kae yelled at herself mentally, but found herself unable to break the spell of silence that she had woven over herself throughout the years.

She also found herself face-down in the dirt when she tripped over the hem of the gown, still unused to wearing the strange clothing.

"Are you all right?" Bo asked, quickly helping her. Kae started to answer, but caught Tasuki snickering out of the corner of her eye. She suddenly felt mortified and knew she was blushing all over, and turned away as fast as she could without falling over again, blinking back the tears of embarrassment in her eyes.

"Tasuki, that wasn't very nice, no da," Chichiri admonished his friend, who shook his head.

"She looked ridiculous! She can't even walk in the damn dresses – what kind of help could she be?" he argued, and Chichiri sighed.

"Pay no mind to that bandit," Bo ordered. "He's just a simple fool who was lucky to be a Warrior for Suzaku. Other than that, I can't find any other good qualities about him."

"I'm sorry," Kae apologized. "I looked like a fool."

"Everyone trips now and then," she said briskly. "Now, let's get you back to your chambers for a bath."

"Please, I don't need –"

"I have been ordered by the Empress to serve you to the best of my abilities. Would you shame me by refusing me?" Bo asked, a twinkle in her eye. She had quickly figured out how to deal with the shy young woman, and her robes of blue and black swished around her as she fussed over Kae. The older woman's black hair was firmly in a simple twist on the back of her head, but she had much bigger plans for Kae's beautiful and new hair.

"Please, nothing fancy. I don't like –"

"You are the summoned one of Suzaku," Bo admonished her cheerfully, and Kae knew it was no use to protest at all. "By dressing in less than the best the Empress gives you, you shame not only the Empress but the nation of Konan."

"All right, all right, I get it," Kae sighed. "Can I have my thing back, please?"

"This?" Bo held out her CD player, and laid it back down. "Not now – it will get in the way. Houki has prepared a banquet tonight in honor of the Warriors Chichiri and Tasuki, and in honor of you as well, Kae. There is much to do."

"A b-b-b-ban-q-quet?" Kae stammered, barely able to get the words out of her mouth through the horror. "Ple-please don't say I ha-have to g-g-g-go!"

"Ah, I understand your problem," the woman nodded knowingly, and patted Kae on the cheek. "You will only have to sit and look pretty, my dear. Her Majesty will not trouble you by forcing conversation with others and I doubt the Warriors will either."

"What are they warriors of, exactly? You keep saying Suzaku," Kae asked, calming down a bit at this reassurance. She stepped out of her pajamas and stood in the middle of the room naked, feeling a bit embarrassed, but Bo paid no attention at all.

"Into the tub – it's this way," she ordered, and Kae noticed silver streaks in her shining hair. "Warriors of? They are Warriors of Suzaku, chosen men blessed with the powers of the god Suzaku himself!"

"Um…"

"I'll explain it all while you're in the bath," Bo said patiently, and led the younger girl into another room.

"I see," Kae said, once Bo had explained everything and she was dried off. "That must be so difficult for them."

"Most likely, but the monk always shows a happy face, and the bandit hardly ever comes!" Bo chuckled, and eyed her critically. "Now, come here so I can dress you. You need to look perfect!"

Kae sighed in acceptance as she followed the woman around the room, holding what she was told to and remaining silent, since it was obvious Bo took her job seriously and was thinking out loud about what to have the 'chosen of Suzaku' wear to the banquet. After what seemed like years to Kae, she was finally dressed, and Bo turned her attention to her hair.

"You have the most beautiful hair I've ever seen," Bo praised it, and Kae flushed faintly at this compliment. "It is so long and thick! And the color – I have never seen anything like it. You should be very proud of it, Kae. I can see you take good care of it."

"I do," she admitted, and winced when Bo began to drag a comb through it. "Ow!"

"That's the price of beauty," the woman informed her, smoothing it out with the comb. After a vigorous brushing – accompanied with plenty of wincing and complaints about being in agony – the skilled attendant set to work on arranging her hair. Kae closed her eyes patiently and waited until the woman said she could look, almost an hour later. Looking at her reflection in surprise, Kae saw her shining hair had been put into three large strands of hair, which looped up on the back of her head and rose to form a peacock-like image in Kae's mind – two loops in front and a taller one in back appeared as if they were intertwining, while at their base a large braided knot of hair was held firmly in place, and the rest of her hair flowed loosely from the knot. A skinny loop of hair hung over each ear, with several loose strands of hair placed in her face. Golden ornaments were placed in various areas in her hair, accentuating the hair.

"This is…absolutely beautiful!" Kae breathed, "I can't believe this is actually me!" Her eyes, already large, were widened with black rims, and her lips were slightly redder than usual.

"Now, you should take a look at the entire dress," Bo suggested in self-satisfaction, and Kae realized she hadn't seen the full length of the gown yet. As she stood the silk flowed to the floor, covering her black-clad feet.

"Oh my…" she managed, afraid to even touch the dress. The sleeveless top gown was simple black silk to bring out her hair and eyes more and the raised collar hugged her throat, with white piping around the edges of it; three embroidered white flowers were on either side of the torso, as the bottom part flowed over her hips and opened at mid-thigh, with white edging the opening. Underneath the black was a sheer white robe, cut to be several angles and appearing to be several layers instead. It trailed slightly on the floor and some fabric peeped out over the black collar. The sleeves flowed past her fingertips, cut like the bottom part in numerous lengths and angles to appear to be several layers overlapping each other. The entire ensemble clung to her figure, revealing her small waist and modest bust with it's simple A-line skirt.

"You look as one chosen by Suzaku should be," Bo said, now openly preening at her handiwork. "The Empress herself chose this dress for you – black really is a good color on you. Look how your eyes shine – don't cry!"

"It's beautiful!" Kae laughed, her eyes overflowing as she embraced Bo suddenly. "I can't believe this is happening – you're amazing!"

"Don't cry – you'll stain the dress and ruin your eyes!" the Chinese woman ordered firmly, though she was pleased to see the shy young woman so emotional. "Now, now, it's all right. You must thank the Empress when she arrives."

"I don't – have to be announced – do I?" Kae asked, suddenly terrified at the thought.

"No, you will simply enter with the Empress and sit by her side if that is your wish," Bo assured her, and Kae visibly relaxed.

"Her Majesty is here to see you – the banquet will so begin," Bo announced not much later, and Kae looked up from the book she had been trying to understand as the Empress strode into the room, even more radiant than the young woman remembered.

"Your Majesty – thank you for the use of this amazing dress," Kae quickly said, bowing as Houki approached her.

"You may leave now," Houki waved dismissively at her attendants, who quickly left the room and left the two women alone. "Kae, this dress was made for you, it seems. You look lovely."

"Th-thank you, Your Maj-Houki," Kae said, remembering what the woman had told her.

"You're welcome, then," Houki nodded with a smile, and calmly took a seat. "There will not be many people at the banquet, so do not worry over it. You shall be seated two seats from my left side, as the Warriors shall be on either side. You shall be seated next to Tasuki – perhaps being between two women will bring out some of his manners," she suddenly grinned and Kae couldn't resist a laugh, feeling completely at her ease with the approachable woman. "There will be nobility in attendance, but do not feel compelled to talk to anyone – Bo informed me of your impairment," she added, and Kae nodded, slightly embarrassed when she realized the other woman must have been told when Bo went to get the dress.

"I didn't have much company as a child, so I was never used to talking. I suppose the stutter developed because of it – I wish I had grown out of it, though," she said despondently.

"You don't stutter now."

"I feel comfortable in your presence, if I may say so, Houki," Kae told her, somehow managing to make the woman's name seem like a title all to itself.

"I am honored," Houki smiled pleasantly, and looked up as someone knocked on the door.

"Your Majesty – the banquet will start soon."

"We are coming," she said, abruptly switching to her royal tone. She winked at Kae as she glided out of the room, and Kae grinned back as Bo entered.

"Kae, you shall accompany Her Majesty to the banquet," Bo informed her in a rush. "Don't worry – just go to your chair and sit down after Her Majesty does. After that, it's simple. Just don't spill anything and don't talk if you don't want to. Simply stare them down – those old nobles are too high and mighty these days," she grumbled, and Kae laughed suddenly.

"I feel very calm now, Bo," she told the older woman. "In fact, I think I'm looking forward to – except sitting next to that bandit," she added sourly, and Bo gasped.

"You are? Oh dear…" she sighed, and then straightened to look Kae in the eyes. "Just don't listen to him and don't take him seriously."

"I won't," Kae promised, and swept out of the room after the Empress and her entourage.

"Why do we hafta get dressed up?" Tasuki grumbled, having been bullied into wearing black shoes and pants and a dark maroon long-sleeved shirt underneath a sleeveless gray tunic with a high collar of darker gray and gold trim. Tucked into his belt that matched the collar was a forest-green robe with sprays of golden wheat on it.

"I think you look just darling, no da," Chichiri said absently, tuning out the complaining bandit as he had been for the past hour.

"Well, ya sure don't seem ta mind," he muttered, "Yer supposed ta be a monk – not gettin' dressed up like this!"

"The Empress requested it," the other man informed him calmly, wearing black shoes and matching pants and a long-sleeved tunic with a high collar, both an almost-black gray color with gold trim and wide golden cuffs. A blue bird was on the left side of his torso, partially covered with a plain maroon robe similar to Tasuki's, tucked into his narrow crimson belt.

"So what are we, her dolls or somethin'?" the bandit demanded, plucking at his sleeve in dismay. "I can never go back ta the boys wearing this!"

"No one said you had to," Chichiri pointed, and noticed that Tasuki was now tucking his harisen into his belt as well. "What are you doing?"

"Ya never know when ya might need it," he replied defensively, and Chichiri sighed in defeat. "Hey, yer bringin' yer staff along," he pointed out.

"I'm a monk, no da!" Chichiri responded in aggravation. "I'm supposed to have one!"

"Well, I'm a bandit and I'm supposed ta have a weapon!" Tasuki informed him, and the two glared at each other for a moment before their contest was broken by a knock on the door.

"My lords? The Empress requests you hurry and finish, as the banquet is about to start and you're the guests of honor," a servant told them timidly, not wanting to get in the middle of an argument with two Celestial Warriors.

"Thank you. We'll be there momentarily," Chichiri replied, and glanced at a glowering Tasuki. "The least we owe Hotohori is to be courteous to his Empress and aid her as much as we can," he said him sharply, and the redhead looked momentarily abashed before shaking his head.

"Whatever," he grumbled, stalking out of the room before the monk patient monk.

To Kae's relief – and surprise – the entrance into the banquet hall was relatively simple and she was thankful the Empress and her usual guests received most of the attention, although Kae drew her share of wondering looks and double-takes as well. Sitting down in the seat assigned to her, she glanced to her right and was forced to do a double-take at the young man beside her.

"What?" he grumbled, barely paying attention to the rest of the people as the food began to be served, but noticed her staring. "Hey, would ya cut it out?" he asked, painstakingly precise and polite, and turned slightly to glare at the female beside him. "Figures – I'm stuck between two women," he thought, but his jaw quickly dropped when he saw who was next to him. "Wh-who're ya?" he demanded, and Kae blinked at him in surprise.

"Kae," she said calmly, turning back to her plate with feigned interest.

"Y-ya-ya look like a girl!" he stammered, taken aback by the transformation of the grungy girl he had first met.

"Gee, thanks," she replied sourly. "And you actually look decent for once. Miracles do happen."

"I trust the meal is to your liking, Tasuki?" Houki interrupted, and Kae returned to her meal as the bandit became trapped in conversation with the Empress of Hong-Nan. Fortunately, the person beside her was an older man and completely focused on his young wife on his other side, leaving her in the relative peace.

"I look like a girl," she grumbled in her mind, picking at her dessert. The words the bandit had uttered in shock had been bothering her for some time, and it was driving her insane. "Just what is that supposed to mean? I am a girl! Of course I look like one!"

"Ya don't hafta eat it," Tasuki suddenly told her, jolting the young woman out of her mental doze. She looked around and noticed that many of the guests had already departed, and realized several hours must have passed.

"Huh?" she said intelligently, blinking owlishly at the aggravated bandit beside her. Houki smiled behind her hand, pleased her plan to civilize Tasuki had worked relatively well during this banquet.

"I said, quit pickin' at it," he repeated with a huff. "Yer drivin' me nuts!"

"Oh, well, pardon me," she replied sarcastically.

"Damn wench," Tasuki grumbled, and jumped when something suddenly connected with his shin underneath table. He glared at her when he realized it had been her foot, but she smiled innocently at him.

"I'm not a wench," she hissed through her smile. Tasuki began to retort heatedly but pause when Chichiri rose and moved to place his hand on Kae's shoulder.

"I would be honored to escort you to your chambers, Lady Kae, no da," he said pleasantly, and Tasuki leaned back muttering under his breath as Chichiri helped Kae to her feet.

"We shall stop by later in the evening to ensure you have everything you require," Houki said primly, but another wink sent Kae's way caused the other young woman to crack a grin as Chichiri led her out of the room.

"I apologize if I seemed forward, but Tasuki can be a handful, no da," Chichiri said by way of apology as they reached her chambers. The pair had walked in silence the entire way, and Kae jumped slightly when he broke the silence abruptly.

"Oh, it's n-no problem," she managed, turning red at her slip.

"If you were indeed sent by Suzaku, I hope we'll become friends, no da," the monk smiled at her suddenly behind his cat mask, and she couldn't help but return it.

"Thank you," she nodded slightly, and turned as he opened the door to her chambers for her. "I'm sure we'll run into each other soon – after all, we're in the same place," she laughed nervously, realizing she hadn't stuttered in the entire sentence.

"No da," he nodded agreeably. "Please, don't let Tasuki bother you too much. He's like that with everyone, no da." With that the young man retreated down the hall, and she had to take a moment to regain her composure before striding into her chambers.

Was this good? Da-amn, it was a pain trying to describe the outfit! It's the only one I'll really be like that, so don't worry. Tasuki and Chichiri's outfits are the ones you always see on the internet when you Google them...Please review!