Hello everyone! My apologies for such a long hiatus, I got some mega wrist strain and it destroyed progress on all my stories for months. I'm still recovering from it, but I'm finding ways around it. Most of this chapter was actually written on my phone and then edited on computer. Whatever it takes!

With that, please enjoy!


-Impasse-

It's been… weeks? Tia isn't even sure anymore how long she's been in this world now, and while whispers that sound like her mom pop into her head every so often, any notion of the next warrior evades her even with the vague clues in the scroll helpfully translated for her by Chichiri. When they were able to see Hotohori again and talk freely at dinner some days after their first meeting, he passed along that his ministers eventually agreed with Tia's decision to keep quiet about her existence. It was a large sigh of relief. But they've faded into an impasse: Do they wait at the palace and put out a subtle call, or do they go gallivanting out for the other four warriors? That's the current discourse being held amongst Hotohori and his counselors and ministers and advisors and whatever else they're all called.

Tia sits alone in front of a wide pond on the palace grounds. It glitters in the sunlight, with only a small breeze to serve as any disturbance to the surface. The air is still warm, but she's noticing that the nights are dipping into chillier temperatures, and that some trees are deciding to turn their leaves. It roils her stomach to think that fall is close.

"I can't miss my first semester, this sucks!" she thinks, watching as a leaf floats down and touches on the water. Without any real current, it sits there. Tia relates real hard to that leaf, and feels pathetic for doing so.

To feel better, and after a quick search around to make sure no one will hear, she starts to hum. It turns to singing. She gets half distracted staring at the pond again and goes from a nonspecific no-lyric melody to singing her personal improv original hit, "I'm slowly going crazy sitting here, dear wise leaf tell me what to do."

"Feeling homesick no da?"

She suddenly feels his presence beside her. Her face burns as she yelps, startled. She's more or less okay with singing in front of people, having been a choir kid for a couple years of school but not for… for this! Chichiri has that same smiling face as always, though she's noticed that his strange powers afford him the ability to change… Size? Form? Tia would want Carly's expert opinion as the one more fluent in anime, but she thinks it's called "chibi." Why he can do so is beyond her, but it's part of his personality and most of the time it's entertaining. He's definitely helped to keep her cheered up, but to catch her singing something dumb and likely out of tune?!

"You scared me! Sometimes I forget that you can pop up out of nowhere," she answers, trying to glare at him but failing because his miniaturized self is performing flips around her. She giggles a little and relaxes, sitting back. He returns to her side, air triumphant, size normal.

"You've been getting bored again, I can tell no da. I never knew you could sing though, no one ever mentioned it at the temple no da," he says jokingly, to which she snorts. She's glad there are no harem ladies to be disgusted at her for it. Somewhere deeper inside, she notices that Chichiri doesn't give a flip that she's not very ladylike. Not by their standards, anyway.

"That was hardly singing, it was just humming under my breath. My choir teacher would've skinned me alive if she heard me sing like that, and the song was just me venting. I have no idea what to do, Chichiri, and it feels like I'm wasting everyone's time when I should be active," she groans, stretching her legs out in front of her and slapping her thighs in frustration. She's wearing a simple green dress, something more akin to what servants wear but up a level to make sure she isn't mistaken for one of them. That was her request, anyway.

"I didn't think you were so bad, but whatever you say. Once we have leads on the next celestial warrior, you'll be missing the downtime no da," he points out. "Unexpected things always come along to get in the way of routine and make you busy no da."

"Guess you have a point. We were pretty sedentary at the temple and then I was taken in as a harem candidate so we see how well THAT worked," she jokes, leaning back on her palms to squint up into the sky. In her peripherals she can see that he's looking up too while sitting cross legged, facing the pond. She refuses to comment more on the singing for now, resolving to be more vigilant about it in the future. Or at least sing something for real next time someone listens in. Mischief crosses her mind as vengeance for spooking her.

"Diiiiiidja know that I can prolly swim across this pond way faster than you?"

She waits patiently, tensely, for his answer as he mulls it over. He faces her.

"You really think I'm gonna fall for that, Tia?"

She grins. "What? It's an innocent fact about what a great swimmer I am, why? What else could I possibly be saying? So suspicious," she defends lightly, tiptoeing around any implications. He shakes his head at her and ruffles her hair.

"Everyone will have to be careful not to be tricked by you, no da. It'll be the first warning they receive when we find them," he teases, easily evading her swats at his hand. She sticks her tongue out at him with a small raspberry sound.

"Kill my fun, why don'tcha."

Laughter eases off into silence as he lets her fix her hair. Well, until he decides to fire off this number:

"I'm glad you didn't end up spending too much time in the seraglio no da."

She pauses in her finger-combing. Tia can feel her face heating up. It's making her head spin too, it's such a loaded comment, but his face is still so calm and facing slightly away. Just as she opens her mouth to put her Big Girl Pants on and ask for clarification, a palace messenger jogs up noisily behind them. Tia turns to address him, blind to the fact that Chichiri does not.

"Lady Trianna, His Imperial Highness requests your presence immediately," the runner imparts, bowing his head quickly when Tia meets his eyes. She glances back at Chichiri, who remains still. Standing, she forces a smile at the messenger.

"Best not to keep him waiting, then. See ya, Magic-Man."

Her entire nervous system feels like it's been deadened as she follows the messenger back inside. Weirdness just happened. Unbeknownst to her, there was a witness to said weirdness.

… … …

"Please head in, he's expecting you," the messenger says, bowing again before stepping away from the door. Tia thanks him, still not quite recovered from whatever transpired between her and Chichiri only minutes ago. She takes a deep breath.

"Emperor time, have to focus up. Focus!" she thinks, putting herself through a mental checklist to make sure she doesn't offend him. She's agreed to be the Priestess of Suzaku, but there are plenty of other girls and women who could fulfill the role should she prove unsuccessful. Maybe she's already taking too long and he's angry at her for being indecisive. Maybe they've decided to get someone else. Maybe maybe maybe maybe…!

"Hey Your Majesty, you wanted to see me?"

Her inquiry is soft and shy, because she's attempting to erase any assumption he might have that she's particularly unlikable. And also, well, she's nervous. Tia enters when his voice floats back to her ears.

"Yes, please come in Tia. Thank you for your haste."

Once inside, she sees that Hotohori is in more leisurely attire, his hair down in a low, loose tail that shoots his attractiveness through the roof. Tia feels her mouth run dry. She clenches her hands behind her nervously as he makes direct eye contact with her and beckons for her to come closer to where he sits on a long lounge chair.

"We have been unable to converse as normal, I apologize. Please, take a seat and tell me how you are faring," he invites, gesturing to the space next to him. Tia feels a little gratified at the sudden interest in her well-being, and shoves away any apprehensive feeling she gets from being close and alone with him. He's supposed to protect her, and besides… She can feel it. Even if he doesn't like her, he doesn't want to hurt her at all. She takes the offered seat with a smile.

"Well… the rooms you had sorted out for me were very pleasant, I have to thank you for them. Um… don't worry about being busy, you're running an empire and dealing with your counselors and all that, so I understand. Back home it's a different system but it ends up being a slog to get stuff done. Otherwise I guess I'm sort of waiting. I'm not sure for what, if I'm honest," she explains, wringing her hands together. Glances are still all she can manage but he has no problem maintaining a gaze on her.

"The ministers are concerned with many things at this time due to your appearance, I'll admit. But do not worry, I have faith in your intuition. Should you desire to venture into the empire I will ensure that you are properly equipped," he replies, making Tia mentally roll her eyes.

"My intuition, huh? That'd make some of my teachers laugh," she thinks, remembering some of her more unfortunate multiple choice tests. She furrows her eyebrows and manages to peer at him when she catches onto an implication of his.

"Won't you be coming with us though? I mean, I know it's difficult with you being emperor and it sounds way selfish for me to say, but you're Hotohori. That means you've got Suzaku's divine stamp of approval to go out on an adventure with us. No one can argue with that," she points out, feeling herself flush and tingles down to her toes when she earns herself a genuine smile from him.

"You are one of few who would view it that way, but you are correct. Is that the way you see it? An adventure?"

"Sure. I know becoming priestess is a giant responsibility, and I'm going to treat it like that, but that doesn't mean I can't have some fun with it. Stories like this always have a grand adventure with friends and good times abound, right?"

He chuckles, the warm sound so wonderful to her ears that she suspects it can't be real.

"You must have many stories, then. Perhaps someday you can tell me of them all. For now, we shall see if we can have one of our own."

Tia once again finds herself at the receiving end of a mysterious loaded comment. Something about what Hotohori just said had so much more meaning than what was on the surface. All she can do is smile and nod, agreeing. Her lap is now her point of interest, where she hopes for someone to come and interrupt. Hotohori doesn't catch her sudden reclusion.

"I'm pleased that your time waiting will be peaceful at least, as I heard from Chichiri that when you first came to our world, you were immediately attacked. I promise you," he says, reaching over and taking up one of her hands, "everything will be done to ensure that you remain safe in your journey to find the remaining warriors."

Tia nods slowly, hiding her slight alarm with a pleasant expression as she's been forced to abandon her staredown with her knees to enter one with him.

"Thank you... Hopefully the decision to hold off the announcement will help in that area."

He releases her hand. "It was a wise decision," he starts, but those telltale footsteps are once again heard outside the room. Secret praises sing out in Tia's mind for the person's timing, but she hides her relief. He's been super nice to her. There's no reason to be such a dweeb, especially when she knows there are tons of women, Nuriko included, who would kill to be in her shoes right now.

"Your Majesty, the ministers are awaiting judgment on the western provinces," a man calls, making Hotohori sigh. Tia huffs in laughter.

"Sounds like your break is over. Sorry if I used it all up rambling when you could've used the time to relax more," she says, standing when he does. He shakes his glorious head, nearly mesmerizing her into thoughtlessness.

"Not at all. It was lovely."

Tia dislikes the increasing intensity of the atmosphere and immediately bows, excusing herself. With one last way-too-cheerful smile, she leaves the room and escapes to fresh air.

"Dude that was so weird," she muddles, unconsciously not-so-unconsciously making her way back to the gardens where she was having her conversation before. "Hopefully he's still there. Maybe I can ask him for advice, might as well."

After a few wrong turns and having to backtrack and meander, she makes her way back out and sighs with relief. Chichiri is still sitting at the pond! There's someone next to him though that makes her take pause.

"Oh crap. She's gonna give me the full interrogation, I just know it!"

With more caution than before, she approaches her two amicably conversing warriors. She wishes she could have an impeccable neutral expression and a superb lying ability… Maybe Nuriko won't ask about it?

"Well, look who the cat dragged in from the city! Nice to see that thugs don't manage to hone in on you every time you go out," Tia greets, plopping down next to her with as chipper an attitude as she can muster. Nothing suspicious about that.

"Ugh, as if! I know what to avoid, and I'm also blessed with super strength. You think any punk out there could mess with me? Where were you anyway?"

"Doing this and that, got called away to take care of something important, you know how it is. You make an excellent point about super strength, an excellent point."

Nuriko shifts, looking at her with a raised eyebrow. Tia keeps her expression sunny. Nuriko then smirks.

"That's funny, because Chichiri here told me you were called off for a private meeting with the emperor. Tia, you just lied to my FACE!" She points an accusing finger at Tia's guilty nose, while Tia's guilty mouth breaks into an unconvincing guilty grin.

"I did not, I was just vague about my task. What, is the emperor not important anymore? Shame on you Nuriko, and I thought you were loyal to Konan," she shoots back, earning an indignant squeak.

"Oh, you think you're clever, don't you?! See if I take you with me when I go visit Houki later."

Tia's jaw drops.

"Awww, you can't leave me! I felt like dirt leaving her alone in there!"

Nuriko beams, standing straight and flipping her dark waves of hair back over her shoulder. Tia sighs in defeat.

"Okay, fine. Hori-sama was just checking in, being respectful. Nothing special, just business because I'm the priestess. Neither of us are in the running for empress anymore, you know," she explains, expression pointed. Nuriko narrows her eyes, lips jutting out. Behind her Chichiri mumbles something about feeling ignored.

"You are so naive! We now have the best chance of snagging his attention, and I have no intention of losing to a slob like you. I may have pledged my allegiance as your celestial warrior but I will stand tall as your rival in love, Tia."

Tia stares in an outright mix of alarm, surprise, and even a bit of disgust. "I don't even-" she chokes on her own frustration and sighs, starting over. She doesn't notice that Chichiri is glancing discreetly over Nuriko's shoulder. "Fine. Have fun with that. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even like me but whatever makes your kite fly."

Nuriko merely cackles and throws an arm around her shoulders, pulling her in close with a squeeze that makes Tia's eyes water. She wriggles away, rolling her shoulders out and leaning back to look at Chichiri.

"Please excuse the blatant garbage-spewing. I didn't get any confirmation on where we should go next from Hori-sama, I think his advisory crew is all knotted up the same way I am," she says, drawing his attention by smiling apologetically. Nuriko mumbles something under her breath, earning a dark glance, but Tia refrains from tugging her hair to start an argument.

"I think the time has come to trust your instincts no da. All the higher ups will follow your lead if you assert yourself the way you did when it came to withholding your official presentation," he advises easily, voice light as the breeze around them. Nuriko snorts.

"Yeah, you steamed those old toads something awful. His Majesty and the Prime Minister had to vouch for you big time, Tia. I heard from the servant gossip chain that a couple of them were so insulted that they thought you might not be the priestess at all and you should be executed."

Tia grimaces. "Well, it kinda helps that Hori-sama is, y'know… Hori-sama."

Nuriko's eye twitches once again at her nickname for the emperor. "So he is." Tia rolls her eyes at the response that comes through Nuriko's gritted teeth.

"I haven't called him that to his face yet if it makes you feel better. But… It seems like that's our only option. Waiting around isn't doing anything, and this isn't me being impulsive. We need to gather the rest quickly, cuz I gotta get home and go to school, and you guys need to rest easy in your eternally peaceful empire," she ruminates, feeling tenseness rise in her gut. Once again, things are sounding much too simple. There has to be more to it, more complications, more danger.

"We can talk to His Majesty about it later this evening, if you want. I think he'll be supportive, and Nuriko and I will back you up, no da!" Chichiri comforts, at the very least erasing Tia's worried frown.

"Thanks guys. Alright Nuriko, lead the way to Houki. I don't understand this palace–" Tia turns, squinting goofily at Chichiri, "I don't understand how you understand this palace–"

"Magic helps, no da."

"Yeah yeah, magic, that's cheating. All you warriors get powers and I'm the all-important priestess. I should get some too," Tia complains, standing alongside Nuriko, who smirks.

"The only power you need then is an accurate sense of direction."

"Literally shove a stick up your butt, you creampuff."

The two trundle off bickering as usual, leaving Chichiri amused and relaxed. Once again, he's glad that Tia has someone she's becoming close friends with. He's starting to wonder if he said too much in their former conversation before she went to meet the emperor…

"Nah… Tia wouldn't overthink it."

The only problem is…

He's the one overthinking it.


Later that evening, Tia feels ready. Her visit with Houki had been just… divine. Her status as priestess and Nuriko's as a warrior preceded them, so none of the other ladies dared to mess with their meeting. Lady Miho shot a miffed glare but one raised eyebrow from Nuriko, a bonafide Warrior of Suzaku, and she knew she lost the contest already. Tia felt a sort of pride seeing it all unfold. No wonder "Lady Kourin" was so confident all the time if she could literally strongarm her way into anything she wanted!

Houki didn't have any troubles, no loneliness as she had other friends in the seraglio. The whole conversation was merely her expressing surprise and wholehearted concern for Tia's safety.

"Tia," she said, "it was obvious from the start that you were very different from the rest of us. But to think–! Oh you must both be cautious when seeking the other warriors. There are bandits all throughout Konan and then there's… well, that's not for me to say, of course."

Tia knew she meant Kutou.

After reassurance that they'd be safe, the conversation continued in a direction Tia hated. She's not going to think about it now, because she needs to focus.

It's time to approach Hori-sama and his pack of wolfish advisors about leaving the palace to search for the other warriors.

She decided to confront him with his counselors present so they can't accuse her of attempting to sway his mind. It had been Chichiri's idea, seconded enthusiastically by Nuriko. It would've been a bit too enthusiastic for Tia's taste if Nuriko hadn't also ordered for her to get changed into a glammier crimson silk outfit that she pulled from absolutely nowhere. Walking to the hall with her hair done up and with all the pep talks, she felt ready. But now standing before all of them formally, Tia keeps her hands clasped behind her to avoid having them see them wringing.

"Hello Tia, and my fellow warriors, what is it you inquire of us?" Hotohori asks, gentle as can be despite the authoritative air surrounding him. She gulps as she bows again.

"I am here to request that we begin the search for the other four celestial warriors. I'm tired of waiting, Your Majesty. My instinct tells me that it's time to go," she states, voice wavering as murmuring behind sleeves already begins between some of the old men. Some of them are seeing her for the first time. She can't blame them, not when it's their culture, but it burns her a bit inside all the same.

"Do you want me to help you or not?!" she thinks, refraining from making a rude face. That won't help her case any. She feels a warmth on her shoulder that makes her jump slightly. Tia glances up to see Chichiri has placed a bracing hand there, as he tends to do.

"I have full faith in this decision, as it wasn't made lightly no da. We all have to take the leap sometime!" he says, to which Tia hurriedly turns her head back to face Hotohori to nod. He, and all his old counselors, take in their words with contemplative but otherwise vague masks.

"We are sure that she is the Priestess of Suzaku?"

One man steps forward, one who had been immediately whispering and eyeing her in obvious disdain. Tia starts, ready to defend herself but Chichiri squeezes her shoulder hard. She gets the picture and swallows her anger, leaving it to boil as the air in the room grows cool. Hotohori's eyes narrow in a chilling glare, far gone from the gentleman Tia's experienced so far. The counselor in question doesn't back down, but is joined by his three apparent supporters.

"You have your doubts still? She has assembled three of her warriors and wishes to faithfully adhere to her duty. Tell us where your confusion lies," he asks, voice sharp. Tia feels like she'd shrink away if it weren't for Chichiri's hand keeping her grounded.

"It is the lack of evidence, Your Imperial Majesty. Some of us here believe it convenient that a girl should come forward as priestess with such scant evidence of being from another world, and then be so readily believed and allowed so many privileges that are borderline treasonous. It is simply suspicious: Konan is at peace. The appearance of the priestess in the legend is meant to happen when we are at the brink of ruin," the counselor explains. The way he carries himself, the confidence, makes Tia wonder if he's aware that his emperor is one of the celestial warriors. But throughout his speech, she could feel a steadily rising and familiar warm feeling from three points. Two from right beside her, one from ahead of her. Her eyes widen slightly.

"Oh! This has to be their celestial warrior power stuff. I don't think that old fuckwad would believe me if I said I could feel it though. Probably just another 'convenient' fact," Tia realizes, the idea dawning on her as she thinks back on the other times she's felt the same sensations. The energy at the head of the room is spiking, and Tia wrenches her attention from the boorish counselor to the seething emperor. Hotohori is about to stand in angry objection but she steps forward, letting Chichiri's hand slide off her shoulder.

"Wait! Your Ma-uh Imperial Majesty, please!"

Hotohori pauses, refraining from getting up. All eyes are on her, surprised at her outburst. She composes her posture and clears her throat before continuing.

"I understand the suspicion. It does look a bit convenient with all the great treatment you've given me, even before I agreed to become the priestess, and I did cause a bit of disorder with my rowdiness. But I will say," she turns to the opposing counselors, shoulders squared in challenge, "if I were a faker, I'd be reluctant to leave my spoiled life here. What else can I possibly do?"

Tia's words hang in the air. Hotohori exchanges a glance with his prime minister, who is solemnly holding back a smile. The staredown continues until the offending counselor smirks. He's taken the challenge.

"It is interesting you say that, Lady Priestess," he starts. Tia notes that the energies of her warriors spike again when he drawls sarcastically over her title. At least she's sure of their loyalty at the end of things. "I have had my ears out in the civil service exams this year, and have heard that a young boy in nearby Jozen City has already cleared the first set of exams. Such a wondrous feat would be indicative of a celestial warrior, don't you think?"

Tia's eyes widen as all attention is on her again. She can't recall any of the scroll's clues at the moment. Panic and nerves make her fingers shake. Her throat tightens. A celestial warrior? A child?! It doesn't seem right, but…

"Fine. No harm in starting a search there and seeing what the deal might be. We'll leave as soon as possible," she announces, taking a deep breath afterward. Anxious, angry tears at the counselor's smug expression lurk only seconds away. She abruptly turns to Hotohori and bows deeply.

"Please allow us to be on our way. We can go without if you want, but any help at your discretion would be most appreciated," she says, before whirling away, pulling her skirts up to avoid tripping as she hurries. Nuriko squeaks slightly at the departure but does her due diligence in bowing and hurtles off after her. Chichiri stays, sighing. He maintains an outward projection of calm despite all attention being on him now.

"We will of course provide proper travel accommodations, though we will be… unable to join you as of right now," Hotohori starts, exchanging a glance with his Prime Minister, who nods decisively. Most of the counselors murmur in confusion. The young emperor closes his eyes, seemingly coming to terms with something before opening them with as sharp a gaze as ever. "Know this now, for we will not hear any utterance against the legitimacy of the priestess again: The celestial warrior Hotohori is your emperor."

The counselors who spoke out against Tia frown, the blood draining from their faces as they process the news. Although not a cruel man by any means, Hotohori feels a pang of satisfaction deep inside at the sight, but keeps it hidden as always. He'll do whatever he needs to, if it means protecting his beloved priestess. He draws in a deep breath and calls for silence, but without reprimand. While he's outraged that they've obviously made Tia upset, they're his loyal followers and care only that Konan remains safe in the end.

"Your Imperial Majesty, I request to take my leave now no da. I have a feeling leaving Tia to Nuriko's care right now might not be the wisest, no da," Chichiri says, giving his own deep bow. Once he's left the hall, Hotohori looks to his Prime Minister, the closest companion he has. He nods, and steps forward.

"His Imperial Majesty takes his leave! We will reconvene all business in the morning!"

With that, Hotohori is free to escape into his private apartments and into more comfortable clothing. The Prime Minister follows him there.

"I am aware of your desire to defend your priestess, just as Nuriko and Chichiri already do," he states.

"She is not my priestess, Ko. Not yet." Hotohori's voice floats back from where he sits admiring himself in a mirror. Prime Minister Ko shifts to fold his arms behind his back.

"Then that is your design, then? The same as when you were a child?"

"Of course. I know the others would disapprove, especially after that spectacle–"

"We care for you the same as always, and wish nothing more than to see you happy and Konan with a future. If she would end your loneliness, that would silence all arguments against her."

Hotohori turns, his hair flowing freely around him as he stares down Ko.

"Yes… I'm well aware of that. Leave such matters to me, and focus only on what lies ahead. Tumult may be headed our way, and as happy as I am that Tia has finally appeared before me, it does represent some unsettling truths," he deflects, his dismissal implied. Ko leaves, giving Hotohori the true privacy he desires.

"The Priestess of Suzaku… Tia," he ruminates, gathering his hair to tie it back. Once done, he sits still in the silence of his rooms before coming to a snap decision.

"Though later than the rest, there is no reason that I cannot offer you comfort before you leave!"


Good job, Hori-sama! Go get 'er! Don't let your shyness and hoity-toity counselors get in the way of your heart's desire. Heehee.

Well, we'll see next chapter what lies ahead in Jozen City (I think thaaaat's the city, if not, oh well. It is now!)

Thanks very much for your patience.

Til next time,

-A