Chapter 4: Seiryuu Warrior: Amiboshi
Disclaimer: I do not own fushigi yuugi nor its characters, all credit goes to Yuu Watase. Including all of the pictures, are taken from the internet.
Fan fiction Author's note: for all of reader's thank you so much for reading :) I hope you liked the chapters so far. Please don't forget to comment. Thank you. :)
Also, I have added some of my NEW CHARACTERS. :)
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CHAPTER 4
Nakago immediately dismissed the four useless guards that were guarding Miaka's bedroom door. One of the soldiers reported the priestess' escape attempt when he was training a group of soldiers. It amused him to no end. His visit to her chamber last night was not enough to discourage her from acting recklessly.
He slowly laid her on the bed and sat quietly beside her. The servant that was following closely called from the door. "Lord Nakago, is there anything else you need?"
"Bring Amiboshi here." He said without looking and the servant quickly left.
"Brave...yet foolish." Nakago whispered to himself as he observed Miaka. Her breathing is steady and no external injuries but her life force has weakened slightly which is probably due to the shock. He raised his hand to touch her cheek but stopped midway and pulled back when one of his men came running with a report.
"Lord Nakago! Report! A letter has arrive from Konan!"
Nakago smirked at this. He could already assume what's written inside the letter. "Give it to Bai and tell him to wait for my orders."
"Yes, general! "
Nakago looked at Miaka and quietly observe the girl. He heard her calling him monster back in the garden. It's certainly nothing new to him considering his line of profession as a general. He have had been called many names ever since he could remember upon joining the military. Much... Much worse. Still, he will not have any of that. She has to learn her place if she still want to live that is.
He moved closer, leaned over her and traced the hickey he left on her neck last night with his fingers. He smiled with satisfaction as the mark seemed to be redder than before, becoming more noticeable with a simple glance. It would let everyone know that she belongs to him alone, including the Suzaku warrior Tamahome. With one smooth movement he opened her blouse enough to see her collarbone and cleavage. He ignored the strange material that covered her breast, leaned on top of her and kissed her on the area between her breast, to his surprise it elicit a reaction. Miaka moaned and her body tried to squirm away but Nakago held her.
Once done, he gave the mark a final lick with his tongue and looked at the miko. She moaned and gasped so innocently and he gave her a small amount of pleasure yet she didn't wake from the sensation. Nakago chuckled at this. 'How amusing...'
Suddenly, a knock sounded from the door. The person he was waiting for finally arrived. He calmly sat up and covered Miaka with a blanket. 'Soon...she will find out.'
"Come in."
Amiboshi quietly came in. He didn't say anything and simply waited. Everyone knew that the general hated unnecessary conversation. Nakago is not to be taken lightly. Amiboshi, he himself is a Seiryuu warrior just like the general. However, he cannot deny the great power he held and wield. Some believed that the power and authority he holds is far greater than that of the emperor. But of course, such rumours should never reach the emperor. The emperor never seem to question Nakago's loyalty. Last time, an assassin, from unknown origin, came to take the emperor's life but Nakago quickly disposed of him...in public. He looked at the sleeping miko and thought that as an enemy she is very...VERY lucky.
If it weren't for the fact that their very own priestess is in enemy land, Nakago probably would have killed the girl. Amiboshi refuse to imagine the things Nakago could do to her if things weren't as complicated as it is. The Emperor seemed trilled when Nakago announced his intentions to marry the priestess of Suzaku. Surely, it was not out of love and affection or...love at first sight.
"Guard her." Nakago said and stood to leave. "Make sure she behaves. Do not hesitate to use any method to stop her if she attempts to escape again."
Amiboshi nodded.
"And one more thing..." Nakago turned and Amiboshi looked at him curiously. "...let no harm come to her."
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"Lady Yui..." Nuriko placed a tray of food on the table. " You should try to eat."
Yui only nodded as she looked through Miaka's belonging. It was obvious that she grabbed what she could. It was almost anything to everything. Clothes, underwear, shoes, makeup, medicine kit, first aid kit, toiletries, school stationeries, camera, food and even...their textbooks. She smiled and laughed. "Miaka...seriously. What are you going to do with these books?"
"Miaka brought a lot of strange things with her. Since you came from the same world only you know what and how to use them." Nuriko said and sat beside her.
"Miaka is the priestess of Suzaku and I'm certain that I'm the priestess of Seiryuu. I'm clearly the enemy. I should be your hostage, why are you all treating me like a guest?" Yui asked, warily. Ever since she found out that she was lied to Yui locked herself in the room they gave her. She felt so guilty. Betrayed by the first person she trusted, Nakago.
Nuriko patted her shoulder. "Lady Yui, it's not your fault."
Tears fell once again across Yui's red cheeks that were already swollen from all the crying. "How could I accused her...how could I?!" She trembled. Nuriko embraced her, rocked her gently like a mother would and tried to calm the poor girl. Both Yui and Miaka are destined to become the priestess but anyone with eyes could see that both are just normal girls. Yui sobbed in his arms. "Nuriko, we have to save her! We have to get her out of there!"
"Shhh...we will save her. You hear me?" Nuriko murmured. "We will get her back."
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Finally, it's the day before the wedding and everyone rushed through their hectic schedule. After the scene in the garden with Soi yesterday, Miaka didn't wake up until the next morning. The seemingly gentle warrior, Amiboshi, sent for a doctor to make sure she is alright. Nakago ordered Soi to be confined in her room until the wedding day as her punishment and Miaka became the main target of everyone's conversation.
Miaka groaned from her sleep and slowly opened her eyes. "Finally, you are awake." Miaka turned her head and saw Amiboshi sitting quietly on a chair.
"Oh...it is you again." Miaka said groggily and sat up while holding the blanket against her chest. She looked around and realized she is back in her room. She winced in pain when her head started to throb. "Ow,...what the hell happened to me..."
Amiboshi raised an eyebrow at this. "You don't remember? Soi attacked you with a bolt of lightning. You are very lucky to have survived that. General Nakago even saved you." He explained.
Miaka frowned as she slowly recalled Nakago's presence before she passed out. "Nakago...why would he..."
"Save you?" Amiboshi looked at her curiously. "Well, isn't that obvious? You are his future legal bride."
"Do you really expect me to believe- wait, what? Did you just said...legal bride?"
Amiboshi blinked twice. 'Just what is she thinking now...'
"Well, yes. You are going to be his legal wife." Amiboshi repeated. 'And that seriously made Soi angry and frustrated.' He mentally added.
Miaka looked at him weirdly. "That handsome jerk actually is single?" She find it hard to believe. Nakago is definitely a dead gorgeous male specie and that there is no doubt he could get any women he wants. Even his position dictates that he has large sum of money and can definitely provide luxury to any women he marries. And above all that...he looked...much older.
Amiboshi smiled teasingly. "So you do find him attractive."
Miaka immediately turned red and waved her hands in front of him in denial. "N-NO!" She sputtered, completely caught off guard. "No! I mean he is gorgeous and all but-"
"Gorgeous?"
That was it and Amiboshi could already see the hot steams coming out from her ears as she dived towards her pillow to hide her face. He never seen any women act as weirdly as she does. He remembered Yui, their priestess. He did met her but she was more...reserved and quiet. She never really talked to anyone except Nakago. Miaka and other hand...
Amiboshi sweat dropped at the sight of Miaka bending over and switching between smacking her head with a pillow and punching it. He coughed awkwardly to get her attention.
"Anyways, Nakago officially ordered me to guard you until your wedding day."
Miaka stopped whatever she was doing and looked at him. "Just how many will he appoint to make sure I won't escape?"
"If you are talking about the four soldiers that were guarding your door yesterday, the general already dismissed them. I'm now in-charge. So if you want to live I suggest you do not do anything foolish this time." He reminded her sternly.
Miaka looked down sadly and finally realized that there is no way out. She would need a miracle to get out of this mess. She helplessly gripped the sheets beneath her fingers. 'What do I do now? Somebody please...please help me.'
Amiboshi watched and suddenly felt guilty. "You know...you could have died yesterday. You are the enemy's priestess and killing you would mean getting recognition and/or receive a promotion from the emperor." He said, looking a bit thoughtful.
"What do you mean?"
"You are still alive until now because Nakago announced his intention to marry you. In that sense he override any plans our emperor might have for you. In other words, he was able to convince the emperor otherwise." Miaka shuddered and remembered clearly the day she met the emperor. He looked nothing like Emperor Hotohori, the emperor of Konan.
"Are you telling me that that is his intention?"
Amiboshi shook his head. "I don't know but right now nobody dares to touch nor harm you because you are his fiancee. Haven't you noticed anything? All the palace soldiers simply tried to catch you. No one drew their weapons against you. I bet some of them were itching to get their hands on you."
Miaka's eyes widen with shock as realization hit her hard. She felt goosebumps all over her body. If she dies, Konan and it's people would suffer the consequences brought about her foolish actions and recklessness. Getting married with the insufferable jerk sounded much better in her favor. But seriously, really? She doesn't love him and neither does he.
"But why...why marry me?" Miaka whispered to herself. Amiboshi heard this but didn't say anything and watched her silently. He doesn't know the answer to that question. Like everyone else, it bothered him and simply questioning Nakago would mean questioning his authority. If you have death wish that is.
'If he is so powerful why wouldn't he just order me to be locked down in the dungeon or order everyone not to touch or harm me?' Miaka thought, confused. Something really isn't adding up.
Both of them were quiet for a long time and did not say anything. Until Amiboshi started to play a soft tune with his flute. Miaka listened and felt herself calming down.
'He said he is one of the chosen Seiryuu warriors but...'
"You know, you don't look like warrior." Miaka suddenly said. Her words startled him and the air suddenly got caught in his throat and made him cough several times. Miaka sweat dropped. "Wah! Are you alright?!"
Amiboshi took deep breaths and coughed a little more before replying. "You think I was lying to you?" He blushed while looking insulted.
Miaka pouted."No. It's just that I know no warrior play such beautiful song. I feel like...I could forget my problems. Even for a short time."
Amiboshi turned his head to the side and felt his cheeks turning even more redder. Actually, he knew that for a fact. It was the truth. No one really takes him seriously as one of the Seiryuu warriors. It hurts to be...not needed. To be useless. But Nakago gave him the task of watching over an enemy priestess...so, maybe, he is not entirely useless at all.
"Compared to Nakago or...Soi, I prefer being with someone like you." Miaka said and smiled sweetly. Stunned, Amiboshi looked over, he didn't know what to say. It was the first time anyone said that to him. There was a small pause between them until Miaka decided to break it.
"Let's go out!" Miaka pushed the blankets aside.
"What?! Are you crazy!" Something caught his and he looked down. Amiboshi blushed ten times fold and covered his eyes.
"Miaka! You are the most shameless person I have ever met!" He exclaimed, exasperated.
"What are you-" Miaka was about to say something but stopped right in front of the mirror. She saw her front blouse half way opened and in the middle of her chest was a hickey.
"I'M GOING TO KILL HIM!"
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Nakago , summoned by the emperor, entered the throne room and noted that Bai Donghai is also present. Including all of the government officials. He bowed respectfully.
Bai Donghai, is among the four lieutenant general of Kutou Empire. He is tall, have lean figure, white skin, white long hair (longer than Nakago's) that reaches his back, and rare red eyes. His rare beauty caught many both men and women's attention and greed, however, he didn't paid them any attention. He entered the palace when he was seventeen and was very skilled with the sword. Many feared him, except Nakago. He is the second scariest commander of the military. Many thought he will be the next general but were shocked that he would rather let Nakago be the general and everyone was scared to question.
"Your majesty." Nakago greeted. Lieutenant Bai followed as well.
The emperor smiled wickedly and ordered for them to stand up. "I called the both of you here because I have an announcement to make. Effective as soon as I gave the order."
Nakago narrowed his eyes slightly. The look on the emperor's face showed that he had thought of something new again.
"I am quite trilled at Nakago's proposal to marry the priestess of Suzaku but I have a much more brilliant idea to make her suffer. I hereby order, Bai Donghai to marry the priestess of Suzaku as well."
Nakago fought not to react. The idiot emperor have decided something without consulting him first. His idiotic ministers seem to agree as well without even giving it a second thought. Bai looked at Nakago from the corner of his eyes and could see his hand slowly turned to fist. Polyandry is when one woman is married to several men. A type of marriage that is not rare in Kutou due to the decreasing population of women. Yes, women are scarce. But of course, surely that is not the main reason why the emperor had decided upon it.
Bai calmly bowed and asked. "Your majesty, forgive me but I must ask why you have decided that I marry the priestess as well?" If they can't get out of this they might as well give them an explanation.
The emperor smirked proudly at himself. "It's simple. I want her not only to lose the power to summon Suzaku but also suffer with the realization that she can never return to her world! Nakago cannot always be with her so I want you to take his place when he is not around."
Suddenly, out of know were, some of the minister's cups shattered. Some were lucky that it didn't explode at their faces while unfortunately others fell on their knees screaming in pain.
"What the hell happened?!" The emperor shouted.
"Your majesty, I do not know!" One of the servants replied, scared.
Bai lowered his head smirked slightly to himself. Nakago's power can really do so much. It is already amazing that the character on his forehead is not glowing. It normally glows when he uses his powers but have mastered to control it.
After the emperor ordered to remove the injured ministers from the court he went back to looked at everyone. "Nakago, what can you say about this?"
Nakago, without looking at the emperor directly, bowed. "Your wish is my command, your majesty."
The emperor smiled at this. "I have made my decision. You are all dismissed!"
"Long live your Majesty!"
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Miaka walked quietly in the garden with Amiboshi after eating god knows how much and hummed to herself. She could feel the eyes of the palace guards in the area on her but at least this time they weren't chasing her like some hare. After Miaka found out she was not dressed properly for whatever reason she slapped him. Probably out of embarrassment. They bickered some more after that before the servants brought in some foods. Amiboshi could understand if a person hasn't eaten anything for a day and a half but seriously, he never thought a girl like her could gulped it down in one shot. There was enough food to feed four people yet she ate it all without stopping. He warily thought where it was going in that small body of hers.
"What song is that?" He asked, following closely.
"Hmm?" Miaka turned to face him. "Oh, uhm...its called 'Wakatte-ita Hazu'. Its a song from my world." She smiled. "It comes with words of course."
"Oh really? Then why don't you sing it? Instead of humming it?"
Miaka blushed a little and looked around worriedly. "I'm not a professional, Amiboshi."
Amiboshi smiled. Miaka may be weird but...she is quite easy to talk to. She doesn't have that bossy attitude like most of the women in the palace. "Neither am I. Besides I'm curious. This will be my first time to hear a song from another world."
Miaka nodded at this and prepared to sing. Both are unaware of the two presence watching them from a small distance. Miaka closed her eyes and sang.
Tooisugiru (the laughing voices)
Koibito-tachi no waraigoe (of lovers passing by)
Mune wo shimetsukeru (makes me get all choked up)
Ameagari no (even though the rain has stopped)
Shuumatsu no gogo na noni (on this weekend afternoon)
Watashi hitori machi wo aruko (I'm walking the streets all alone)
Soba ni (even though)
Itai no ni (I want to be with you)
Sonna koto wakatte-ita hazu (I should have known this)
Suki ni nareba natta dake (if I fell in love with you that much)
Kurushimu koto (it would hurt just as much)
Setsunai ne wakatte-iru no ni (even though I know its heart-wrenching)
Omotte-iru anata dake wo (I keep thinking only for you)
Konna ni (even when)
Aenai toki no (I can't see you)
Donna toki mo (even though)
Issho ni ite hoshii nante (I know I shouldn't think about)
Omoccha ikenai to (how I wish we could always be together)
Osaete-ita (even now, the voice of my heart)
Watashi no kokoro no koe (which I've tried to suppress)
Tomerarezu ni ima mo afure (seems to overflow)
Sou de (endlessly...)
Kurushii no (so much so that it hurts)
Watashi ni wa wakatte-ita hazu (I should have known)
Aishitatte hitorijime (I just can't keep my love for you)
Dekinai koto(inside all to myself)
Demo ima was taisetsu na omoi(but now, its a precious thought)
Watashi dake ga mieru hontou (I believe in the truth)
Shinjinte( only I see)
Aishi-tsudzukeru (and keep on loving you)
Watashi ni wa wakatte-ita hazu (I should have known)
Aishitatte hitorijime(I just can't keep my love for you,)
Dekinai koto (inside all to myself)
Demo ima wa taisetsu na omoi (but its a precious thought)
Watashi dake ga mieru hontou (I believe in the truth)
Shinjite(only I see)
Aishi-tsudzukeru (and keep on loving you)
Miaka's voice echoed beautifully across the garden. Amiboshi wasn't expecting such way of singing. It felt like he was listening to an angel's voice. Soft and calming. He heard many women sing...especially during banquets and parties being held in the palace. They are all professionals. But when Miaka sang...it was purely from the heart. It resonated deep within him.
When Miaka finished she looked over at Amiboshi who stared in awe. Miaka blinked at this and move back a bit. She frowned when he simply stood there and didn't say anything. "Uhm...it was bad, huh..." Amiboshi was about to say something but was stopped.
"I think that was exceptionally beautiful." Someone said from behind and both turned to looked. Amiboshi immediately recognized them and gave a small bow.
Miaka's eyes widen in awe at the two beautiful men. One have long white hair and red eyes while the other have long brown hair and golden eyes. She felt like drooling but instead swallowed. "Who-who are you?" She couldn't help but feel intimidated by their presence. Their beauty aside, they looked like important people.
The man with long white hair chuckled, he could sense her nervousness. "I apologize for not introducing myself much earlier. Your singing was simply captivating."
Miaka blushed several shades at the gentleman. Why does she feel like there is more to this man than what it seems? "Uhm, thank you." She replied almost timidly. Why do they have to be so beautiful like a girl?!
"I'm Bai Donghai." He said as he gave her a smile. He turned slightly to his side to address his companion. "And this is Guangli Chen."
Chen, compared to Bai, looked completely expressionless. Almost as if he is bored. But surely, if he smiled, women would definitely crawl at his feet to get to him.
"Uhm...hello." Miaka greeted. Chen simply nodded at her direction and Miaka could almost feel the awkwardness looming above them.
She cleared her throat a bit and walked closer and tried to look as friendly as possible. "The legendary priestess from another world is really such a mystery. Do all women in your world sing as beautiful as you do?"
Miaka tried to look a little bit behind him so that she would not be distracted. Not only is he stunning, his words of flattery is starting to get to her. "You give me too much credit. I cannot possibly compare myself to professional singers." She laughed a bit to herself.
Bai raised an eyebrow at this and smiled again but this time he changed the topic. "Your wedding will be tomorrow. Have you made preparations?"
Miaka froze and both Chen and Amiboshi looked at him. A shadow suddenly fell upon her face. "I...I don't want to marry...him." She whispered. 'Why is he bringing this up?'
Bai continued. "Just a few hours ago, the emperor gave the order that you will marry not only Nakago but I as well, priestess."
"WHAT?!" Both Miaka and Amiboshi yelled at the same time. Miaka felt the blood draining from her face. Chen still looked expressionless and remained silent. Miaka looked into his eyes and shuddered. His eyes told her he was telling truth and the Kutou Emperor thought of something sick to make matters even worse for her.
"No..." Miaka shook her head and stepped back weakly. "No..."
Amiboshi looked at her sympathetically and couldn't find the right words to say. What the hell would he say in this situation? Congratulation?
"Please do take care of me, my future wife."
With that Miaka saw the world turned dark and fainted. The last thing she saw was Bai moving to catch her and heard Amiboshi scream.
"Miaka!"
End of Chapter 4