Hey everyone! Good to be continuing on the path of righteousness.

Please enjoy!


-When Communication Crumbles-

Hotohori perks up considerably from his evening business papers when a messenger arrives. Could this one bear the news he's been waiting for? Has Tia finally returned to him?

"Your Imperial Highness, Her Eminence has returned with Nuriko, Chichiri, and another. They are in the courtyard now."

The emperor smiles, rising from his desk. He thanks the messenger and dismisses him thus: "Tell them to stay where they are, and that we desire to meet the newcomer ourselves."

"Yes, at once, Your Imperial Highness!"

The messenger races off again, leaving Hotohori to fend off the ministers that are with him. He holds a hand up to silence them.

"This business can wait for now. The return of the Priestess and the warriors is most important," he counters, taking their arguments and shutting them down calmly. Without further discussion, he heads for the courtyard. He has to see them, he has to see her. She's been on his mind the entire time.

When he enters, he sees Tia and the others, and a child. He's not at all inconspicuous, and garners their attention immediately. He feels his chest tighten when, as soon as her eyes meet his, her face lights up so completely. It's incredible to him how warm and inviting she comes off, and her hair even has golden undertones being brought out by the sun. As if all of nature is attempting to paint her as friendly.

"Hori-sama! I did it! C'mere C'mere!" she beckons, throwing an arm around the child's shoulders and pulling him forward. "This is the one they were talking about, our fourth celestial warrior Chiriko! He's blessed with glorious knowledge," she introduces, her positive attitude radiating off her entire being. The lad with her, the so-called Chiriko, is much more reserved.

"It is my honor to join the Priestess on her journey, your Imperial Majesty," he adds, bowing low with perfect decorum. Tia snickers.

"I mean, yes, show your respect, BUT! Fear not. Hori-sama is Hori-sama! He's one of us!"

Chiriko nods in understanding.

"That is why you were not there before; Her Eminence mentioned that one of the warriors had remained behind. She maintained secrecy on the matter the entire ride here," he says, looking to Tia as she scratches her cheek.

"I wanted it to be a fun surprise. I'm pumped though. Ready to get looking for everyone else," she responds, rocking back and forth.

Nuriko and Chichiri walk up then. After taking care of talking to servants to get all the luggage sorted, they overheard Tia's exuberant call for continuing the quest right away and have quite the opinion.

"You were all mopey when we first got there, give us a break!" Nuriko complains, though she makes sure to yawn daintily behind her sleeve, as the emperor is once again in her proximity. Chichiri shrugs.

"It's good to have momentum, but finding a direction first, after a short rest, probably wouldn't hurt. After all, we have to tell Hotohori-sama about the fun you had in Jozen no da," he says, finalizing the plan at present: Rest from the quest. Tia sighs, deflating.

"Okay. You guys have a point. Let's get inside then, Chiriko needs to start learning where everything is."

Nuriko snorts.

"As if you know any better?"

"Hey, I'm getting better! My brain isn't made for mazes!"

Hotohori feels a wash of fondness for his new companions. While they haven't spent enormous amounts of time around each other, he feels at home with them. In his mind, he sees it as a sure sign that fate has been true in choosing the members of the Suzaku Seven, and their Priestess.

The next morning, Tia stretches in her bed, smiling at the muted sound of birdsong outside. Today will be the day she regales anyone and everyone about the outing to find Chiriko. She plans to especially embellish her accomplishments as a lady dedicated to peace and stability foremost. Instead of. You know. Knocking heads foremost. To see the look on that old counselor's face when Chiriko totally knocks it out of the park will bring her certain joy.

A knock, hesitant, comes at her door. She finishes her daydreaming and shuffles from bed, grabbing a silky robe to cover her nightclothes. When she opens, she already knows what's about to happen.

"Took you long enough. Were you busy daydreaming about parading Chiriko in front of the imperial ministers?" Nuriko asks, raising an eyebrow when Tia goes overboard on being flabbergasted.

"I would never! How dare-! I was just letting my brain clear out from sleep."

"Sure. Anyway, we have a talk we need to get to. Let's go." Nuriko grabs her wrist and tugs, dragging her along a hallway and ignoring all protest. Eventually, Tia gives up and hopes that no one else sees her being taken hostage. While she knows that they need to talk about Nuriko's ~special circumstances~, she could be gentler.

They return to the roof. Get settled. Tia waits for her friend to begin. After all, it's most difficult for Nuriko to talk about, and needling certainly won't help. The breeze is ever so gentle on the cool morning, but the sun is warm on their backs. It gives the gentle encouragement she needs.

"Why didn't you, well… why don't you care…?"

Nuriko's question is so tentative. So opposite of Nuriko. Tia maintains her eye contact with the horizon, both because she doesn't want to make things awkward, and because she's afraid. She could say the very wrong thing.

"I care, but it's because I want you to be who you are without judgment. So what if you started out as a boy? You feel more like a girl, or rather a woman, now right? That's what matters."

Nuriko allows the breeze to talk its piece. Birds flutter by, curious about the newcomers on their rooftop.

"So… you never would've said anything?"

"Nope. If you're a woman, that's who you are. I don't know what you feel exactly, but that's how I see it. I'll always see you as my friend, and respect who you are," Tia says, flushing afterwards because she ranted a bit. She does feel that way, and had prepared a better speech than this, but what is gender theory in an alternate version of Ancient China?

"Tia, look at me."

She does, turning her torso as well, only to be engulfed in a tight hug. Tia returns it on instinct, only letting go when Nuriko does.

When her warrior draws back, she seems calmer, but something is a bit different. Just the way that Nuriko is looking at her feels different… Tia internally shakes it off. "It's just the convo topic."

"I want to tell you why I am who I am, Tia. Just promise me not to tell anyone else," she says, not all pleading but serious none-the-less. Tia nods.

The following story that Nuriko tells is again, one where Tia can only imagine the heartache she's feeling as she tells it. The fondness for her little sister Kourin that lived on as she took up her name, as she became her. To lose a sibling in an accident like that makes Tia wonder about something, but it would be indelicate to ask anyone. She doesn't have a wide enough collection of data anyway.

"Then you decided you were queer?"

Nuriko leers at her, forcing a few defensive chuckles from Tia.

"You could at least give it more reverence than that. You're such a brat. But," Nuriko trails, poking Tia's forehead carefully and dodging the subsequent swipe, "I started seeing my little sister in my dreams when you came into the seraglio, admonishing me, telling me 'Ryuuen, you're Nuriko! Why are you being me?'"

"So, your given name is... Ryuuen?"

Nuriko grins at the light fascination in Tia's voice. "Is that the part you're latching onto, my real name?"

Tia blushes, twiddling her fingers in her lap. Something in the air, there's something in the atmosphere making her head funky.

"Anyway, that last fight we got into also got me realizing that I can't be running around in women's clothes anymore. Maybe the first step in letting go is getting back into men's. What do you think?"

Double take. Triple take. Blink-blink-blink…

"You're asking me?! That's an important decision, I mean… I dunno! Go for it? I really don't want to say the wrong thing Nuriko!"

Her friend laughs at the explosive reaction, and snakes a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Nooo, you haven't said anything wrong. I think for now I'll be a woman in men's clothing. It'll get odd looks, but–"

"But it's for your own comfort and for the mission besides!"

"Yeah!"

"..."

"..."

"... But uh… you're not still gunning for empress, right? No offense meant but, like… you can't produce heirs…?"

If the sun clouded over forever and the world became as ice, the air becomes that same chilly sharpness upon her query. Nuriko's arm drops, and she scoots away. Tia shivers, feeling lead in her stomach when, without another word, her friend leaves.

A few minutes later, still shaken, with tears pricking her eyes, Tia realizes.

"Oh no… no no no! I'm stuck on the roof!"

… … …

Another day blossomed for them, and why shouldn't it? It's still and humid, but still sunny out, they're perfectly capable of having a superb day- no, a superb life! Their lives will always be amazing, the three of them.

He stands, a strange fog lifting. He realizes that he's really honestly just been standing there right outside his family's house. It feels like it's been so long since he's been home, but, how could that be? He lives here. It's his home village, where he's always been with… with…

He looks down at his hand and his stomach drops. There it is. The invitation. After announcing his engagement, he went to grab it. His feet begin moving on their own, but he doesn't feel them hit the ground. There's only dread in his chest, an agony he can't stop.

He will turn that corner.

He will see Hikou with Kouran.

"No…!"

It becomes different as the clouds form overhead. As the waters begin to rise.

Tia. Tia is there. Tia is there. Tia is there.

...

It takes several deep breaths for his heart rate to return to normal, or at least a little calm. He has those dreams every so often and his years of meditation and training have helped negate them. But that…

Chichiri swipes a hand over his face, unused to the cold sweat after so many peaceful nights.

He needs to set things straight with Tia. It's not her fault, but it's all getting jumbled now. She deserves much better, and besides that, he only ever meant to be her loyal protector from the start. That's what fate signed him up for, and that's what he'll do.

Once he's out walking in the hall, he starts to go to her room before pausing. There's a trickle of a voice floating far away. It wafts through the air with a grace fitting the otherwise serene morning.

With curiosity piqued, he turns around and follows it. Inside, he curses himself for procrastinating on the incumbent uncomfortable talk with Tia. He strains his ears, deciding not to try pinpointing who it might be with his powers. He'll pick up Tia's chi in the process and it'll just make everything more difficult.

As he gets closer to the voice, it becomes increasingly clearer whose it is. He stops. Listens more. His dream combined with how her friendship is starting to affect him… If she knows, she'll distance herself. He knows it.

It's a nice song, even if she wavers on a couple notes (which are usually followed by a giggle and a joking repeat of the note before continuation.) A song about believing in stories and growing up, from what it sounds like. He wishes it wouldn't endear her even more…

When the song ends, he hears her yawn. Then he sorta thinks about it.

"Tia? Tia are you up on the roof, no da?!"

A slight pause ensues before she calls back: "Whoa hey, yeah I'm stuck up here! Care to help?"

While he has no desire to have this talk, and his mind is steering him to just walk away and send someone else to help, he knows in his heart that that's the worst route. He focuses on her chi and finds it. Sure enough, she's above, a little farther down the open-air hall. One spell later, and he's on the roof.

She stands when she sees him, resettling her robe and brushing it off. He watches as she picks her way forward, eyes on the roof tiles. Her hair is windblown and unkempt, she has no cosmetics on, and when she stubs her toes she curses loudly. Tia isn't a proper lady, and she never was. It makes her grateful smile even more special when she reaches him.

"Hey hey, thanks for the save! Got stuck," she says breathily, shoving some wayward strands from her face.

"Are you a major sleepwalker now too no da?" he asks. He could laugh if his dream hadn't been so terrible.

"No, I'm not that freaky! Just had a talk with someone and I can't get down because they left me here. Dunno if I deserved it but oh well…" She mumbles the last part but he manages to catch it.

"I need to talk to you as well no da."

Her face drops slightly but she nods. Her hands clutch at the ties to her robe, her smile becoming a wince. It's an automatic guilty verdict for him, but it has to be done.

"Right, yeah might as well while we're here. Let's sit. Tell me your troubles, Magic-Man," she invites. He does, putting respectable distance between them.

"Tia, there's a lot you don't know about me no da. And from what it sounds like, and from what I might have done, you might have been led to believe that-"

"-Is this, uh sorry, but is this about the teasing about you being my boyfriend or whatever? Because that did not originate from me. I'm really sorry that it keeps cropping up though no matter what I say cuz you and I are just friends," she interrupts, squeaking from embarrassment. She keeps from looking at him.

He sighs after a moment. Then removes his mask.

"Tia, look at me."

She does, and her eyes widen. Her glance goes between his true face and the mask in his hand. Predictably, her reaction is a little to the left of what he expected.

"A mask?! But you- I mean, your face is great either way, but... Am I the only one who honest-to-God believed that that was your real face the entire time?!"

Any seriousness that was there has stagnated significantly, which he's fine with. No sign of pity or disgust, or winces of sympathy pain. And maybe even better, she isn't scrambling with some story of her own to try and relate somehow. He chuckles.

"To be frank, you probably are, no da. Once people hear that I'm a magic user, I think my face is the one thing that starts to make sense, no da."

She slumps a bit, but perks back up.

"Wait now, lemme get a good look at you then."

Tia has no idea why her head is so goofishly giddy and lightheaded. Even worse, she's acting on it. She's got this dumb, scrutinizing expression but it's all a cover up. He has a scar over his left eye, with which there's an obvious story, but his face is…

"Are all the warriors going to be heckin' gorgeous? Is that the secret? The god Suzaku must be vain," she ponders, ending her perusal with a finalizing smack on her leg. Enough of her stupid feelings going haywire (feelings she shouldn't have anyway!), there's a discussion to be had.

"I'm sure you're wondering how I got this," his hand drifts to his scar, "but I don't think this is the time to talk about it no da."

Tia blinks, as the thought hadn't crossed her mind, but she shrugs. After her tumultuous and heavy infodump with Nuriko, she didn't feel like being a terrible therapist again quite yet, even (especially) for Chichiri. "Cool. I don't need to hear about it. What did you want to actually talk about?"

He huffs a bit in laughter, a small smile playing his lips at her. His attempt failed. She's too good at lightening the mood. "This was all, no da. Did you know I found out from Nuriko that you're eighteen? It surprised me no da," he admits, ruffling her hair.

"Does it matter? I dunno how old you are," she responds. "Part of the reason Nuriko shouldn't tease me," she adds inwardly.

"Ah… well, if it's been that long, I'd be twenty-four now no da."

His strange way of answering is like a dare. She doesn't take it.

"I never said I needed to know."

"You implied it no da."

The roof's bright tiles are beginning to heat up to the point of discomfort. Tia timidly reaches out to place a hand on his, where he holds his mask.

"It sounds like you're stressing over something, or have a story you have a hard time telling. Whether you're not ready to tell it or I'm not ready to hear, I can't really say, but knowing you trust me enough to let me see this makes me happy. Thank you."


Carly strides past the librarian's desk, waving distractedly when they greet her. The smell of books and old carpeting helps her head stop spinning. She's a regular here, because it doesn't cost money and her brothers hate it. All too perfect. She has her mind set for a private workroom, that should be empty thanks to summer break.

She's correct, and slips in, putting the 'occupied' sign on the doorknob outside. With a big heaving sigh of relief, she claims a chair and digs her phone from her purse. She didn't think she'd need her laptop, but her phone would do for now.

"I think the name of it wasss… 'The Universe of the Four Gods.' I'm checking in on you, Tia," she mumbles, although she knows that isn't true. Her search has a different purpose entirely.


It's evening, and Tia is at the door to Hotohori's private chambers. After this morning, she felt a bit plagued again by the stress of having everyone relying on her. Nuriko basically disappeared, and she could feel in her gut that Chichiri needed to think about something, no matter how cheerful he was when they parted ways after their rooftop talk. She'd mentioned a bit of her anxiety about being priestess to Chiriko over lunch, who suggested talking to the emperor.

"'He has the most knowledge on that type of enormous pressure, Your Eminence.' I wish he'd call me my name," she thinks, her young warrior's words echoing in her brain. She draws her shawl closer around her shoulders to block the chilly air. "I hope this doesn't turn into another disaster."

The door opens, and there he is. All that glory is in casual sleeping attire now, his toned chest peeking out from a sliver in his robe, his dark hair draping over his shoulder.

"Tia, please come in. I'm always available to talk," he invites, stepping aside to allow her to enter. She does so with a polite nod and quiet thanks.

She settles on the same lounge chair from their talk before, and he follows suit. There's a polite pause, nervous on Tia's part, before he shifts slightly.

"Is something troubling you?"

It takes everything she has to not wince completely.

"No, not exactly. I came to ask for advice, actually." She builds her courage and looks at him, because it's no time to be silly. He at least seems to be taking her seriously, for which she's grateful. "How do you handle the pressure? I'm terrified all the time of even saying the wrong thing to any of you, let alone doing the wrong thing and setting off a war. I thought just doing my own thing was okay, but now I'm not so sure after the ministers foamed at the mouth like they did. Maybe I accepted the role as priestess too soon, maybe there's a better candidate out there," she rambles, feeling her hands shake. He hasn't said anything to contradict her. Chichiri said she was doing fine, but surely Hori-sama has something to say about her methods so far!

A warmth graces her face. It's his hand, cupping her cheek ever so gently.

"You were hiding these fears all this time, and still you perform your duties admirably. You are the Priestess, chosen by fate, and if there have been any errors on your journey this far, I have not seen them," he answers, soft and pragmatic. Tia's face is a righteous crimson at the proximity at which he spoke, but he backs away, his hand sliding from her face.

"I became emperor when I was only fourteen years old, after my mother did terrible things to ensure I would reign after my father passed. She used methods I don't dare speak of to you now. While she lived, I was under her control, but when she passed, I became truly alone. I am surrounded by loyal ministers, however…"

Tia picks up where he leaves off. "They're not your friends. I can see the difference."

She lets him take her hand, his grip strong, as he leans forward again.

"Yes, yes precisely! I wish you could see yourself the way I see you, Tia, for surely it may alleviate your insecurities. My loneliness has been melting away now that you've come to me at last!"

Tia's eyes widen, the room growing a bit stifling and her mouth dry. He's pretty close to her, now that she sees… She whispers a hoarse "oh" before he pushes her over to pin her down. Her heart begins thundering in her ears. "This isn't where I expected this to go! Oh geez…" her mind scrambles, all escape routes crumbling before they build up.

"I have dreamed of the day the Priestess would appear and end my loneliness. Tia, you are bold, kind, and with a wisdom many could never hope to match. I am entranced by you, body and soul," Hotohori whispers, causing her to shiver.

"Hori-sama…" she squeaks, gasping a bit when his lips make contact with the side of her forehead. He's being so tender, but every alarm is ringing in her mind, and also "where the hell is this coming from, I thought he didn't like me that much?!" It doesn't help that she can't call who she wants to for help. What would he say? What would he think?

He stops. Tia feels a flood of relief and confusion as he releases her to stand. She feels like scrunching into a ball and rolling away to find a rock to morph into. "Hori-sama?"

Her question comes in shock after he picks up a sword that formerly rested against a different chair. He draws, saying nothing as he approaches an elaborate carved window filled with paper screening. With little effort, he begins a patterned dance of slashes against it.

After a last deathly whistle, the mere flashes of light Tia could see end. He lowers his blade to the his side and releases a breath.

It collapses. The window, this artifice of stone, crumbles.

But what makes Tia's mouth drop in cold… horror? Is Nuriko and Chichiri standing there. They'd been eavesdropping!

"Oh no…" she groans, slapping her hands over her face. The two immediately try to play it off as their emperor stares them down, of course.

"Ah, your majesty! It's such a beautiful night, don't you think so? I couldn't help but go for a stroll and you caught me just as I was coming around, hahaha!"

"No da no da no da! Just passing by, looking for a good meditation spot before bedtime, no da!"

They stop their strange dance, which Tia watches with ever-mounting disparagement, when Hotohori sharply sheathes his blade.

"I believe I allowed you to enter my apartments whenever you desired, my fellow celestial warriors," he reprimands.

Tia peers around Hotohori to see that they're both shooting glances her way. Nuriko is miffed. That's to be expected. Chichiri has his mask on, but even that smile is subdued. She feels horrible, and while she gets that she has feelings, they're not really anything. Not anything that strong. She's only ever had little crushes before, and that's something she can get over.

But then, the prickle of guilt she's feeling now is different than any other time she's had crushes.

"Good evening, everyone! Has anyone seen Her Eminence?… oh my," a voice calls cheerfully, ready to make the situation either more awkward or maybe better? Chiriko walks into her frame of vision, hands folded into his sleeves as he examines the damage. "Was there an attack?"

Tia stands, wobbling a bit but gathering herself mentally. "Nope, Hori-sama saw a spider." Her attempt at levity fails, though Chiriko gives her the pitying, 'good try award' smile.

"Well, thank you for the talk Hori-sama. It sounds like Chiriko wants to talk to me about something," she says, hoping she can run away from absolutely everything for right now. Her hand is caught, just as she passes the emperor. She's close to outright crying, but she waits to hear what he has to say.

"Tia, I must say this now before our quest becomes all-encompassing. When you have summoned Suzaku, I intend to make you my empress," Hotohori states, though this declaration is obviously toned down due to their audience. Tia slowly twists her head back to see him.

"You… You can't! I'm not- I can't accept! I don't accept!"

"I have no intention of forcing your hand, Tia. You are not a woman who could be ordered by anyone but her own heart, so I will help you fall in love with me," he replies, unfazed by her sputtered refusal. She pulls her hand from his and sees that Nuriko has already stormed off.

"Chichiri, say something, help me out, anything!" she cries, hoping her thoughts would reach him in the few seconds she stands there.

The stress. The homesickness. He walks away, saying nothing. Her appetite has slowly been declining. Her eyes sting and she runs. She runs to the only person in the palace who might listen.

"Houki!" She knocks at the courtesan's door. "Houki, it's Tia, please! Please…"

The Priestess sobs, overwhelmed, sinking to her knees. She wants to go home.

"Tia…? Oh goodness, did something happen? Kourin didn't go too far, did she?" Instead of her bedroom, Houki appears from down the hallway, having heard her cry. Tia leans into her arms when they wrap around her. She shakes her head.

Houki doesn't attempt to move them inside, instead comforting her friend with distracting stories of everyday life in the harem since she left. Even just the sound of her voice is enough to get Tia to calm her breathing. She coughs and wipes her nose on the inside of her collar.

"Don't tell anyone," Tia jokes, wiping her eyes on her sleeves. Houki giggles, putting a finger to her lips.

After some more deep breaths…

"I can't keep friends very well. Always been an issue, and looks like I've done it again. I pissed off Nuriko somehow, weirded out Chiriko probably with this performance, and and and…"

Houki clucks and rubs her back. She takes a deep breath to begin her reassurances, especially where Chichiri is involved (palace gossip escapes no one), but...

"Tia!"

The women freeze. Tia begins to feel panic, and wishes she could just go home for now. Where no one could reach her, where she could see her mom, where she could get a break from worrying about messing up. A familiar bright, intense heat begins to well up around her.

Across the grounds, Chichiri's head jerks up at the massive spike in chi. He pops to it at once. "Tia!"

"Pardon me, Your Imperial Highness, I am her friend from her time in the harem. I must humbly request that you leave, please!" Tia can hear Houki's steadfast defense. Hotohori doesn't get uppity, but he does attempt to persuade. She smiles a bit, then mumbles a thank you to her friend for being braver than she is.

The red light explodes from her body, the same that came from her computer screen when she clicked that hyperlink. Houki and Hotohori cry out in surprise, shielding their eyes and moving back from the brightness.

"Tia! Tia, wait!"

She gasps, standing so quickly that her knees protest. Chichiri is here, making his way toward her. But she can't hold out against the feeling of flight: She's made the decision.

Tia catches his attention, knowing that through his mask, his one eye is trained on her, pleading with her not to go.

"I'll be back as soon as I can."

If he says anything in return, it is lost. The warmth envelops her, and she's taken from Konan. Unlike her first travel into the fantastical world of the Universe of the Four Gods, she remains semi conscious as she flies in a general upward direction.

That's how she manages to watch a bright blue streak rocketing in the opposite direction.


Awright! Things are gonna start picking up a little bit. We have three warriors left to find, and now the fated antihero has entered the groupchat!

Thanks to everyone reading, it's much appreciated (as always.)

Til Next Time,

-A