How's it going? I've been keeping my head above water, as they say. I'm sending good vibes your way if you're feeling a little blue!

Thanks for the reviews, I really appreciate them!

To Windrunner, I have no clue what you'll consider the BEST chapter, but there are some humdinger plot directions I'm planning on doing!

To the guest reviewer inquiring about the appearance of Miaka or Yui, I can say that they won't make a major appearance, as this is a sort of alternate universe. However, there might be hints at them somewhere down the line, so keep your eyes peeled. I never like completely throwing the canon characters away, as Miaka and Yui are both special to me.

To my other vaguely named guest, thank you! I don't mind if it doesn't get on any best-seller lists (metaphorically speaking), I AM happy you're enjoying though!

And to Suzukixcandy, there are a few things that Nuriko needs to understand first before she gets found out... Or however it happens. You'll just have to see!

This is a somewhat shorter chapter, but not like teensy. Enjoy!


-Friction-

For the first time in days, Tia wakes up from a pleasant rest with a healthy desire for breakfast. It's no mystery to her on why that is: last night had been full of laughs and deeply relaxing. While she still has no clue on what her agreement to being priestess means, she figures it'll at least lead her to getting home. Thinking about how to get those three wishes gives her shivers.

"Usually this type of thing would happen to someone who desperately NEEDS something. I don't need anything," she muses, getting dressed with the help of, thankfully, the same maids she had in the seraglio. Tia is quite pleased that she's being put in the old donated robes from before coming to the palace. Definitely easier to walk in than the more opulent robes of the palace!

"Miss Tia, any makeup today?"

Her thoughts on being priestess halt at the question. Barring any running, the cosmetics yesterday weren't stifling. Kourin –"no, Nuriko," she interrupts her own thoughts– did say it was better than the first time they met. Snap decision time.

"You know what? Yeah. Sounds nice, just make it light again like yesterday."

Later, seated at breakfast, Nuriko makes extra sure to pile food on her plate. Tia flushes at the action, miserably arranging her hands around chopsticks again.

"At the very least I won't let you slob food everywhere. You're lucky I'm gracious enough to not let His Majesty witness how miserable you are," Nuriko sniffs. Tia clenches her chopstick hand, about to snap back at the only other person at the table when a chopstick shoots out and down to the floor.

Mumbling profanity as Nuriko's subsequent giggles jab at her pride, Tia dives instinctively after the utensil. No seraglio, no emperor, no need for decorum. She fishes around on her knees searching, hands impeded by the draping sleeves.

It is, of course, the perfect moment for His Majesty to appear.

"Nuriko, where is the priestess?"

Tia squeaks, flame emerging on her face. In her hurry to rise she momentarily forgets her positioning under the table. The following resounding smack of her skull against the hardwood clatters the dishes, the other occupants of the room wincing. Tears and a pitiful moan emerge from her huddle underneath. An unsympathetic shoe pokes her in the side with the gentleness of a cattle prod.

"I'm not sure why she's under the table sire, some strange otherworld ritual, I think," Nuriko responds lightly, Tia seething at the undertones of a laugh in her words.

"Nuriko when I get my hands on you…!"

"Ah… Yes, that might be so," the doubt in his voice is plainly evident, "but I'm sure it's quite difficult to enjoy a meal from under a table."

Tia takes her implied cue and scurries back up. She swipes stray tendrils of hair from her mouth and face, praying to everything that her makeup isn't too smeared. She smiles quickly at Hotohori before mumbling an apology and staring at her hands in her lap in silent mortification. Next to her a chair pulls out.

"Still having problems with eating utensils no da?"

The sound of Chichiri's voice makes her cringe.

"Only a little. That's the first time I've dropped one in a day," she responds, a servant presenting her with a fresh pair of chopsticks. Nuriko graciously decides to have mercy for now, as Hotohori is in attendance.

Speaking of the emperor, he keeps his gaze fixed on Tia in study.

"Lady Trianna, if you are having troubles with eating, I could have someone feed you."

His suggestion is meant to be purely an innocent helpful one, but it echoes inside Tia's head and drives a stake in her chest.

"Really? He's not very impressed with me so far," she thinks, holding back a woeful sigh. She slaps on a smile that's more grimace than happy.

"Not at all, Your Majesty, I'm simply unaccustomed to these. I don't want to give up on learning so quickly. No fun in that," Tia forgets to not be completely sarcastic at the end but no one seems to notice. The emperor nods, disposition sunny.

"A wise way of perceiving a challenge, and I admire it. But do please call me Hotohori. I am your warrior, and no matter the standing I was born to serve you," he requests.

Tia nods, but with her eyes fixed firmly on a point just beyond him. He's too stunning to keep eye contact with.

"As long as you just call me Tia," she replies, and he nods his regal head in what almost seems like a bow. She turns away bashful, unwitting to Nuriko's quick, lethal glare.

Slowly but surely the meal progresses. Minimal talking. Nuriko keeps an eye out for any opportunities to embarrass Tia more, but she gets along (albeit shakily), finishing her plate in fair time.

"Did you sleep well? I could tell you were stressed last night no da," Chichiri asks, keeping his voice low so their companions wouldn't hear. She glances at him with a quick, appreciative smile.

"I slept fine, yeah. I'm worried about what all this priestess business entails but last night was actually really fun," she replies, deciding to not refill her plate and set her chopsticks aside. Now that she's mentioned it again, her anxiety has spiked.

As such, there's an awkward silence.

Until… "Didja know that the avenue leading out from the palace was built to symbolize the path Suzaku took before landing on this spot, making this the capital city a long time ago?"

It's something she learned while wandering around with Gen.

They look at each other.

"I did, no da."

She looks to her plate with a slow, downtrodden nod.

"Oh. Right. Never mind then."

"That was definitely the wrong answer, no da," he thinks, committing to memory that the next time she wants to "teach" him something, he should just act surprised.

Conversation is interrupted by the ending of the meal, with servants carrying away every dish. The warriors watch in interest when Tia turns, smiles, and thanks the servant gracefully reaching over her shoulder. The servant briefly loses composure, eyes darting to the emperor before he dips his head a little to her. Tia doesn't notice that this action is strange, although she does feel Hotohori's burning gaze on her. It's more scrutinizing than ever.

"Tia, I'm sure you've been toiling with questions about your duties as priestess. I've cleared time now to tell you all the information we have, and afterward you will be presented to the empire as their priestess," he says, the explanation in such a serious tone that Tia halfway thinks she did something to anger him.

"Right. I'm ready to hear, hopefully Nuriko isn't too distracted by your handsomeness to pay attention," she replies, unable to keep from smirking as Nuriko's face burns in both embarrassment and indignation. She can only squeak in rage as Tia sits back in her chair, completely aware that any retaliation now would mean being disrespectful in Hotohori's presence. Things settle as Hotohori ignores her words and decides to launch into his explanation.

"I requested the scroll of The Universe of the Four Gods, and have been studying its prophecies when able. It has been passed down to each emperor since the first of the dynasty, given to us by Taiitsukun."

Tia pays extra close attention to his more detailed iteration of the information he told her before, about the twenty-eight constellations and their connections to the four gods. Most was familiar from information she received in her time in the temple. Her focus is apparent: find the Southern Seven to summon Suzaku and obtain three wishes. During the search, she would be protected by the celestial warriors, graced with powers.

"If they all have powers it shouldn't be that hard to find them. Tends to be noticeable," she thinks, wringing her hands in her lap. So far, no real threats to her cause are indicated… Tia clenches her hands into fists that make her knuckles white. "If there are no threats, why do the warriors need powers?"

"You must collect the warriors yourself should you wish to claim Suzaku's power. You are already faring well in that respect, with three," Hotohori finishes, setting the fragile old document down with no hint of awkwardness. The warriors notice that Tia's expression is pulled into a tight frown.

"Tia, is something wrong, no da?"

"Um… What is threatening the empire?"

The room becomes tense at her question. Tia finds the nerve enough to stare at Hotohori, though not evenly as she hoped. Masking her worry would be dumb anyway. Something akin to respect enters his gaze.

"It is wise to know what opposes you. While talks are as yet at a diplomatic standstill, the eastern empire, Kutou, is our greatest threat at present. They have not declared open war, but their desire for the fertile land we boast here in Konan has been forefront in their talks for many years. They failed in their historical attempted conquests of the north and west, as both of those respective empires have summoned their guardian deities and are thus protected for all time. Should Kutou decide on conquest, we will stand no chance against them. They are our biggest threat and will no doubt express extreme interest in your arrival," he answers, and although his voice doesn't waver, Tia can see the anxiety in his face at the idea of invasion. She nods curtly.

"Then that's that, I guess. I know you were planning on presenting me as priestess to everyone, but maybe that's not such a hot idea. I should be kept a secret as long as possible, right?"

The emperor is taken aback by her suggestion, but her answer comes from Chichiri.

"It's more for the people's anxiety than our own that you be presented no da. Just because Kutou hasn't formally declared war doesn't mean they haven't caused strife in Konan no da," he says, and Tia twists to face him. No amount of careful study of his face gives her any clue to his emotion behind the words. He'd been matter-of-fact, but there had to be something that cued that response specifically. Giving up, Tia shrugs.

"I guess it's something that maybe should be discussed, is all. One way or another we'll be found out, depending on how good their information is. Don't want them pushing in before we start," she says, shrugging lamely and wrinkling her nose.

"I will discuss it with the ministers. For now, worry only about finding the remaining four warriors. There are clues written in the scroll to help," Hotohori continues, nodding to the document as if it had provided valuable conversation.

"Given how things have worked out so far, we won't need them. Tia stumbles blindly into us on her own," Nuriko comments, lightening the mood considerably with an ease befitting a proper lady. Despite the evil look Tia throws her way, she's grateful for the mood shift.

Hotohori rises, his face drawing into a soft smile. Chichiri and Nuriko follow suit, making Tia falter as she realizes she's meant to do the same.

"I must take leave of you for now, as I am still bound to Konan and its welfare. Should you come to any realizations over the clues in the scroll, don't hesitate to send word to me," he says, eyes not straying from Tia. She only sort of notices, as her mind is tossing around the possibility of a bloody war should she fail.

"I guess this is one of those nasty bits of the fairy tale. Can't wait to see what they do," she thinks, inwardly rolling her eyes. She smiles weakly.

"See ya, don't work too hard."

Hotohori pauses to look back, a look of confusion on his gorgeous face. It melts into a mixed expression that doesn't seem happy or sad. Without another word, he takes his leave and the room is allowed to relax. After a couple of seconds, Nuriko rams Tia in the ribs with her elbow. With a pained squeak, she doubles over, arms circling her bruising midsection. Chichiri yelps and places a hand on her back, asking if she's okay.

"What in all of Suzaku's goodness was that?! Saying something so casual to His Majesty and contradicting him so easily! If you weren't the priestess I'm sure he'd have you locked up or worse! You're lucky none of the ministers were here to listen to you, surely they'd think you were just an impudent girl, I know I would!" Nuriko reprimands, voice lofting up in volume to be heard over Tia's coughing. The priestess glances up.

"Maybe… But I am the priestess and he didn't. Besides, I was just being me and trying to help. Being emperor has to suck sometimes, right?" she asks hoarsely, easing herself up to avoid more injury. Nuriko opens her mouth to spit more fire but Chichiri interrupts.

"I can see where you're both coming from, no da. Tia must come from a place where speaking out is encouraged, as she does it so often no da." Tia turns scarlet at the observation, deciding that the scroll is more worth her time now and meandering toward it.

"Our emperor is known for being kind, and even you have borne witness to that, Nuriko. Let's have a little faith in both of them before trying to intervene no da," he continues, watching his fellow warrior's face turn from contemplation into a plain pout.

"Yes I understand. But the brat grows on you…"

Both watch as Tia's expression darkens upon finding out she can't read anything in the scroll. They glance at each other, small smiles returning to their faces after the rough moment.

Lana Redfield sits at the computer, watching the text appear that pertains to her daughter. She sent Carly home. Wes is down making calls to paranormal investigators. She has a feeling she knows what this is, though. It'd always seemed like a strange way to spook her out of doing anything unsavory as a child but now she has to wonder.

Maybe there's more to her aunt's disappearance than she believed.

"Tia, my baby, I'm sorry this is happening…" she murmurs, tears leaving her eyes as the anxiety rolls over her again. There's no way she could've prevented Tia from this danger, she had been watching for a book.

It was always a book!

Tia gasps and looks up from her meal. Chichiri and Nuriko pause from their conversation, asking after her reaction. She doesn't respond. Hands to her head, she glances around and furrows her eyebrows, trying to concentrate.

"Mom, I could swear I just heard you…"


And there you go! Some implications there at the end. Kutou was introduced, Nuriko got worried because Tia overstepped her bounds (because let's face it, Americans would behave this way [or worse] and you know it), and the search begins for warrior number four!

Thanks for reading everyone! Review if you like, if there's any questions or anything you wanna say or I missed a mistake in editing.

Til Next Time,

-A