Chapter 3: Seiryuu Warrior: "Soi"
Disclaimer: I don't own Fushigi yuugi and its characters, all credits goes to Yuu Watase.
Author's note: please, please, please don't forget to comment. Thank you :)
...
Soi walked through the corridors, early in the morning, quietly looking for only one person. Nakago.
Soi has a tall appearance with long magenta hair that is tied up, fare skin and reddish brown eyes. She wore her armor by habit that is specially designed to fit her feminine form. It is rare and very unusual for a woman to enter the military but they made an exception since she is one of the chosen Seiryuu warriors. At an early age of thirteen, Soi entered the palace and was trained in the military along with Nakago.
Ever since Nakago saved her from being sexually assaulted, back then when she was only twelve years old, she fell in love with him. She was sold by her parents to a brothel to earn money. There, they fed her drugs and unknown concoctions that made her permanently sterile. That didn't bother her until just recently when Nakago announced in the court room of his intention to marry the priestess of Suzaku.
"Have you heard? The general is getting married!" One of the guards whispered to his companion.
"Seriously? All of a sudden?" 'Was he seeing someone before?'
"Not to mention that it will be in two days! Everyone is rushing to prepare for the wedding ceremony." The soldier grinned. "Who is the lucky lady? Tell me!"
Before the other could give a reply, Soi interrupted with deadly cold glare across her face. "It seems like some of you decided to slack off. Did the general give you the permission to gossip behind his back?!"
The two soldiers paled at her presence and quickly straighten themselves and saluted Soi. Although she is not exactly part of the military and doesn't necessarily need to join them, she is among the people who are very close to the general and is given special authority in any situation.
"We are very sorry, lady Soi!"
"Get back to work!" She shouted, completely pissed off.
"Yes, lady Soi! Right away!" Quickly, they scrambled away for dear life.
Soi watched them leave with narrowed eyes. She clicked her tounge in annoyance and left.
'What is Nakago thinking, seriously?! How could he marry that useless brat?!' Soi quickened her steps. 'Why?!'
...
Back in Miaka's room:
Tying the last knot Miaka gathered what she could find and tried to make a makeshift rope using blankets. Last night was horrifying but that won't stop her. She is scared. Definitely. But that doesn't mean she will not do anything even if her room is on the second floor. Nakago locked her inside and four soldiers guarded her door. Seriously, four guards?
"Ok! This will do!" She smiled at her work and quickly tied it to a nearby column and threw the length out of the window.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you the old school technique to escape from your room." She said proudly to herself. 'Screw you Nakago! As if I'll give myself to you that easily!'
Miaka prepared to climb down and unknowingly didn't notice the presence of someone from down below.
"This is going to be a piece of cake if we do this nice and slow. I can do this!" She cheered and was half way through when she suddenly heard a female voice.
"What in the world are you doing?"
Startled, Miaka looked down and her eyes popped out of their sockets. She really wasn't expecting anyone to be there and she didn't looked like a normal servant. 'Wow...she looks gorgeous...' She managed to think.
"Uh-uhm-" Miaka stuttered as a strong wind blew her unsteadily. "Wah! Wah!" She screamed.
"Hey!
Miaka panicked and unceremoniously tried to glue herself to the wall. "Oh my gosh! This is not part of the plan!"
"Stupid! Climb back up!" The woman below shouted.
"And why would I do that, huh?! Can't you see I'm trying to escape?!" Miaka shouted back. There is no way she can escape now. This is seriously one lousy, rotten, old school escape technique! Maybe the problem lies entirely on the one who uses it.
Suddenly she felt her makeshift rope loosen and then her face turned gravely pale. In slow motion, she watched her rope slipped through her hands and with some kind of magnetic power disengaged her from the wall and pulled her down.
"Aaaaahhhhh!"
Miaka closed her eyes shut and waited for the impact. She gasped when she felt someone catch her and rolled over the ground.
"Ow.."
Slowly, Miaka opened her eyes and groaned. She pushed herself up and found herself face to face with the woman. She looked really beautiful with her long magenta hair and reddish brown eyes. Miaka noted suspiciously her armor and tried to smile.
"Thank you for saving me. I'm sorry, are you hurt?"
The woman frowned. "Don't flatter yourself, Suzaku no miko. Just get off already!" Miaka sounded so friendly and annoyingly kind for a hostage. Doesn't she understands anything?
Miaka was sitting on top of her and blushed from the embarrassment. "Wah! So sorry! Wait, you know me?"
The woman sat up and rubbed her back and shoulders. She glared at the girl. "With those clothes? Isn't obvious?!" She hissed feeling a bit bruised. Why did she catch her anyways? She should have let her fall to her death! And all of these nonsense will be over with.
"Oh?" Miaka smiled shyly. 'I would have prefered not to be famous really...'
"Anyways, thank you." She said, looking around for the exit.
The woman looked at her from the corner of her eye and quickly stood up. It didn't take long for the soldiers and guards to hear the commotion and came running towards them.
"What the hell is going on here?!" One of them shouted.
"Lady Soi!"
"Why the hell is the Suzaku no miko outside?! Someone catch her!"
Miaka sweat dropped. So much for a quiet escape. "Sorry about this! Bye!" With that she dashed away.
"The Suzaku no miko escaped her chamber! Catch her! Make sure she doesn't escape!"
Soi watched as the palace guards chase the priestess of Suzaku.
'The priestess of Suzaku behaves differently from lady Yui. Pulling a stunt like what she did - just what kind of person would do that? Are women from another world so ungraceful and unladylike?' She frowned and looked distasteful.
She stood there quietly for a few more moments then move to follow. Even without orders from Nakago there is no way she would simply allow the airheaded priestess to escape. But wouldn't her actions be the opposite of what she wanted?
If the priestess remain in the palace she will really become Nakago's wife. Letting her escape would have been in her favor. However, it will not please Nakago and he doesn't tolerate disobedience. Soi knew that for a fact.
'To HELL with all of this!' She thought, frustrated.
Miaka ran as fast as she could but everywhere she go only drew attention. Just how many freaking guards do they have here?!
They reached the palace gardens and Miaka felt completely surrounded. She couldn't find the exit. The palace grounds is frustratingly huge! Why is it so hard to find the exit? Even she couldn't locate the gates in Konan palace without asking for help. Miaka move back and stopped at the edge of a large pond.
"Stay back! Don't come any closer!"
The guards laughed and grinned. "You can't escape now, priestess!"
"Return to your chambers and you won't be harmed. Otherwise, we will not hesitate to use force." The one in front of her said, advancing.
"I will NEVER MARRY your general!" Miaka shouted. "Who in their right mind would agree to marry a monster!"
The guards were shocked when she called their general a monster. Others paled and feared the worst. How could she dare say such things so boldly? Is she out of her mind? Doesn't she fear for her life?
"Why you little-!" Before they could grab her suddenly a bolt of lightning strike the ground between Miaka and the guards. Debris flew out from the impact. The men screamed and fell on their knees, others ducked for cover. Miaka was shocked then looked at the person approaching them. It's the same woman awhile ago.
"You..."
"I am quite disappointed that you pathetic lot could not capture and seize one little girl from another world." The woman gave them a frightening, disapproving glare, her hand raised towards her target.
"We are sorry, lady Soi!" Several of the guards bowed respectfully, fear evident in their voice. Mostly because they don't want to be hit by her powers.
'Soi... is that her name?' Miaka's eyes caught something glowing at Soi's left thigh. It was the symbol fang xiu which means room. It glowed brightly in blue indicating even more to Miaka's horror that the woman is one of the Seiryuu warriors. And she looked like a powerful one. She actually bumped into another of the Seiryuu warriors.
Soi could tell the recognition slowly spreading across Miaka's face. She smirked at this.
"Yes, I'm Soi. One of the celestial warriors of Seiryuu. Priestess of Suzaku, it is a pleasure to finally meet you." Soi said and bowed mockingly towards Miaka.
Miaka swallowed and took a step back. 'She must be the one who shoot that bolt of lightning...what do I do?'
Soi watched her and frowned when she saw a reddish mark along her throat. Obviously a hickey from Nakago, knowing from the servants that he visited the priestess in her chambers last night.
"This game is over priestess." Soi was about to order one of the guards to detain her when she shouted.
"I will not stay here any longer! I will not marry Nakago! How many times must I say this! I will never marry that monster!"
When Soi heard the word monster her expression suddenly darkened and sent Miaka a scatting glare. If looks could kill. "How dare you insult Nakago!"
Miaka blinked twice at this, she wasn't expecting Soi to react that way. She felt rooted to the spot but held her ground. "Wha-what's with you?! Why would I marry someone who is trying to kill my friends and invade Konan?! He must be insane to consider marrying me!"
Several sparks of electricity surrounded Soi's body dangerously as she slowly walked towards.
"You have no right!" She growled angrily. "You don't deserve to be his legal wife! Ever!" Soi raised her hand towards Miaka and sent a bolt of lightning straight towards. "You don't know anything about Nakago!"
"Lady Soi! We can't hurt her!" One of the guards warned but it was too late.
Miaka screamed in pain as the bolt of lightning hit her hard. Grounding her. She staggered to her feet and stepped dangerously on the water which only intensified the electrifying effect.
Soi raised her hand once again, in rage, threw a second attack. But before it could reach Miaka someone stood in front of her and blocked the attack effortlessly.
Soi gasped in surprise. "Na-Nakago?"
Miaka shuddered, coughed in pain and weakly looked at Nakago's large back.'Nakago...?'
Nakago blocked the attack and saved the priestess of Suzaku. Soi looked hurt, completely confused.
'Why would... Nakago...' Miaka's eye sight darkened and finally fainted. Before she collapsed in the water Nakago turned just in time and caught her in his arms.
"Nakago!"
Nakago looked over, his expression devoid of any emotion, eyes narrowed."Who gave you the order to attack the priestess, Soi?"
Soi trembled slightly under his sharp gaze. "No-no, I mean...she insulted you!"
"Part of your training as a soldier is to tolerate various of insults no matter what the situation." Nakago said as he fixed Miaka in his arms and carried her against his chest carefully.
"It seems like you have forgotten, Soi." Nakago looked at her from the corner of his eye, that are frighteningly sharp and cunning. The guards around him shuddered and even bowed for life.
Soi paled at his intense glare and looked down. Immediately, she bend down to her knee and bowed low. "Please forgive me, Lord Nakago. It won't happen again."
"Your incompetence tells me otherwise. I have no time to deal with all of your excuses. Now leave us." With that Nakago took Miaka with him and left the area.
End of chapter 3