CHAPTER 5

Inside Soi's Room:

"AAARRGH!"

Soi threw one of the vases against the wall and it shattered to pieces mercilessly. She wailed around aimlessly in her night robe. The servants backed away, scared.

"Lady Soi, please calm down..." The servants worriedly watched her go mad. Soi walked back and fort in her bedroom and broke anything at her sight. She screamed and shouted.

"That bitch! Hyarghh!" She threw another and clutched her head, her hair loosed. "How could this happened?!"

"Please, my lady...please calm down."

Soi growled and glared at her servants. "Who told you to speak?!" The servant almost fell on her butt and quickly bowed away. She then went for the bed and scattered the blankets and pillows. Not caring if it hits anything.

"How could...how could she?! Did the emperor really thought of this?!"

One of the servants nodded and bowed low.

Soi slammed her hands on the table, her nails dug on the smooth surface. 'But what do Nakago think of this?! That bitch from another world...would marry the both of them?!'

Konan Palace:

Tamahome stood quietly by himself in the palace garden. Everyone is worried about Miaka. The Konan emperor, Hotohori, sent a message a few days ago that the priestess of Seiryuu is under their protection and no harm will come to her. If the priestess of Suzaku is harmed in anyway or if they continue to attack their borders they will not hesitate to do the same.

Of course, it's a bluff. There is no way they will hurt the priestess of Suzaku's best friend. After Yui found out she was lied to, she refuse the title of Seiryuu no miko and doesn't wish to return to Kutou. Yui also revealed that all of the Seiryuu warriors have already gathered. However, the problem is that she never met most of them personally. She converse with Nakago much more than the others. She did meet Amiboshi but only saw him a few times. She saw Soi but Soi never talked to her once. The rest are...unknown. So, the information she could give is limited. If anything at all, they have to watch out for Nakago.

Surprisingly, they gave a quick reply. A reply that angered everyone, it raised more problems and questions. It only says that the priestess of Suzaku will never set foot in Konan again. That's all. Nuriko broke the counsel's table, Hotohori can't help but shout at the absurdity, and Yui fainted from the stress. Tamahome could still remembered Miaka in Nakago's arms. The helpless expression across her face haunts him every night.

Tamahome frowned and his hands balled into a fist. He turned in anger and punched the column of the pavilion. 'Miaka...'

"Ta-Tamahome?"

He looked and found Yui standing on the bridge. She looked at him worriedly and was startled. "Yui, sorry, I didn't see you there."

"No, its alright."

Tamahome tried to calm down and smiled at her in hopes to cheer her up. She never stopped feeling guilty about what happened. Yui sat on one of the chairs.

"I was...actually jealous." She began. Tamahome blinked at this but listened quietly.

"I was jealous because you loved her instead of me. And because of that I thought she came back just to be with you. I thought...she never thought nor even cared. I trusted Nakago's words instead of her." Yui said. Tamahome could tell she is holding in her tears as she went on. But her next words surprised him.

"Tamahome, I love you too. That's why...I got really angry...and hurt Miaka. It's all my fault...that everything is messed up. Miaka..." Her words trembled and tears streamed down her cheeks. "Miaka...is probably suffering right now. And it's all my fault!"

She cried and covered her face. "Even after everything I did to her..." She choked. Tamahome looked completely uncertain and a bit lost as to what to do. Yui voiced out her feelings for him and regrets at the same time. Yui continued to sob in front of him and did the only one thing he could think of.

Yui gasped in surprise as Tamahome embraced her. He patted her back gently as he tried to soothe her.

"I'm so sorry, Yui. I'm so sorry. I just don't know what to do...so, just let it all out. I'll stay by your side until you calm down. So cry all you want." He said.

Yui hiccupped and bawled like a child, tears spilled even more from her sore, red eyes.

Kutou Empire:

Amiboshi quickly opened the door to Miaka's room. Bai carried Miaka onto her bed and tucked her in. Chen didn't enter and just stood near the door.

Bai gently touched her forehead. "She doesn't have a fever at least."

'How many times did this already happened?' Amiboshi thought worriedly. "Should I call for a doctor?" He asked.

Bai shook his head a little and pressed his fingers to her neck. He checked her pulse. "She's fine at the moment, its not like she hit her head or anything. She will wake up soon." Amiboshi nodded at this and quietly took a seat. Bai smirked a little when he saw the red mark on her neck under his fingers. 'Nakago's doing no doubt...'

"Just what is the emperor thinking..." Amiboshi muttered.

Bai chuckled. "To make her miserable of course." He answered, vaguely. Amiboshi raised an eyebrow at this. He already thought she is miserable, being hostage and all. It seems like it wasn't enough for the emperor. Its surprising as well that Bai is taking this quiet calmly. He doesn't look disturbed.

Bai snapped his fingers and ordered a servant to bring in some food. "Uhm, I suggest you double the amount of the food." Amiboshi added a little bit awkwardly. Bai looked at him curiously but didn't question. The servant bowed and left the room.

"Chen, why don't you take a seat?"

Chen looked at him slowly. "It's inappropriate." He replied. Bai laughed at this. "Maybe you are right. There shouldn't be any problem if I'm here. The wind is cold so just come in. We can't let my bride catch a cold now, can we?"

The brown haired man hesitated for a moment then closed the door behind him. Amiboshi frowned as he looked over the wedding gifts Nakago prepared for her. No doubt she will live in luxury and many women would kill to be in her position. It doesn't make any sense. But before he could ask further Bai continued. "We are in a standoff at the moment. While we do have Konan's priestess, they have ours."

"We assumed Yui is the priestess of Seiryuu because she is from another world but...she refused and never accepted it. The emperor didn't even know about her until recently." Amiboshi reasoned, exasperated. "She may not be...our priestess at all."

"You are very naive..."

Amiboshi looked at him, offended. "Marrying the priestess is just part of the plan but that is not the main goal."

"What?"

Bai smirked at this. "A priestess must be a virgin to summon Suzaku, Amiboshi."

Amiboshi paled and gazed at the sleeping girl on the bed. 'So...all of these are just formalities? No...this is just a sick joke. Nakago is willing to go this far?! Just kill the girl, damn it!'

"Why not just kill her?" Amiboshi said grimly. Miaka's words about him not looking like a warrior started to echo in his mind but seriously, would a true warrior do this kind of things?!

"That would be very boring, don't you think?" Bai smiled calmly, amused and looked at him a the corner of his eyes. "Are you suggesting that we rape her instead?"

Amiboshi blushed at this, completely ticked off and embarrassed at the same time. "N-NO! What the fuck! NO! Don't put words into my mouth!" Chen eyed him, the corner of his lips raised slightly.

"Marrying the priestess of Suzaku sounds so much better now, doesn't it?" Bai teased.

"Stop it."

"Nakago, knows what pleases the emperor but that doesn't mean he would stoop so low as to rape a woman." With that he stood up and sat on one of the chairs beside the bed.

Amiboshi frowned deeply. 'Everything is about pleasing the emperor, huh...'

"You don't looked bothered."

"I'm not interested in marriage but I am interested in this girl." He lightly brushed away Miaka's bangs. "A girl from another world. My life would be much more interesting from now on." He grinned.

Amiboshi, frustrated, drank three cups of water straight and felt like smacking himself on the forehead. Chen on the other hand was silent the whole time. 'Is he telling the truth? The army can't attack now that Yui is in enemy land assuming that she truly is the priestess of Seiryuu. General Nakago could really strike where you least expected it. The Suzaku warriors and it's people would be devastated. And Miaka...she would really suffer.'

...
...

'Please..' 'Please help us...'

Miaka opened her eyes. 'Who-who is it?'

'Help us...'

Darkness surrounded her and she couldn't see anything. She took a step forward and gasped when she felt the coldness of the water. The water seemed to glowed faintly in blue and reached until her ankles. It seemed to spread around her endlessly, just like the darkness. But for some reason it gave her even just a little comfort. She also noticed that she is not wearing her brown uniform. Instead, she wore a thin, simple white kimono. She was about to admire the dragon embroidery along the edge but the unknown voices returned. This time it was much clearer and louder.

'Please help us...'
'We don't care who it is...'

Miaka raised her hands against her chest. She felt goosebumps as she couldn't find the source of the voices. One voice was different from the other. Woman's voice, man's voice, child's voice, young or old...they all pleaded as if death has come for them. Scared and fearful. Desperate and soul wrenching. Miaka could already feel the pressure tightening around her heart and soul.

'Please...anyone...'
'Help us!'

"Ah...uhm, who are...you?" Scared, Miaka asked with a small, trembling voice.

'Anyone will do...please.'

Miaka swallowed and asked again. This time she spoke louder. "I'm right here!" She reach out. "Tell me what I can do! Let me help you!" Her voice echoed in the darkness and voices suddenly stopped. It became too quiet and Miaka shivered. 'I don't know why they are asking for help. I don't even know what's going on. But I can't ignore them.' Miaka waited, then a voice of a child echoed back gently.

'Will you help...us?'

It was sad and lonely. A child...probably just only four or five years old. Miaka looked around slowly. Yet, no one is around.

"I don't know what I can do but..." Miaka gritted her teeth, she knew she is unarmed and knew nothing about combat. Well, she did clobbered some people when she was in Konan empire and always ended up being saved. As a priestess, her warriors loyally devoted themselves to protect her. But how about...the people?

'They have no one...' Miaka closed her eyes and then opened them, she was uncertain and maybe even...stupid at some point. Back at home, almost everyone thought of her as an airhead and know nothing except food. The people close to her are probably the only ones who knew her singing habits. But what can that do? What can she do?

Miaka bit her lip and replied with all the courage she could muster. True she have nothing to brag about but...

"I have nothing but let me help you! Let me help you!" Miaka reached out, her hands shivered but she ignored it and reached out towards the empty space. "I'm right here! I'll do anything!"

Then gradually blue orbs of different sizes floated in the air, there were so many. There are probably more than thousands and because of the sheer number the darkness seem to disperse. "I'll do anything! So, tell me what should I do?!"

'You might get hurt...'
'You might end up-'

Another child's voice sounded behind her. The other tried to say something but Miaka didn't wait for the child continue. "I don't care what happens to me. Priestess or not, I won't ignore anyone of you! I'll help you! You hear me?! I'll help you!" Miaka shouted with all her might and she took several deep breaths.

"I'll do whatever I can..." Flashes of disapproval and disappointment of people from her world reminded her. She frowned sadly. Those times, no matter how hard she tried, it felt like it wasn't enough. It was tough but she held on. She held on because Yui was there. Always there. She is the complete opposite of her yet...she stayed beside her. Remained beside her. Held her until she felt better.

Right now, if there is one thing she could do. Miaka knew she will do it. "I'll stay by your side! So..." Tears started to bream at the edge of her eyes. 'Even just a bit...'

"So...please, believe in me."

Silence once again surrounded her but she remained still and waited patiently. Then suddenly, tiny droplets of water rained down. At first there were just a few then gradually it increased. Miaka looked surprised and looked around. The tiny droplets of water were coming from the blue orbs. The faceless orbs cried but Miaka cannot hear anything.

'Thank you...'
'Thank you...'
'Finally, someone heard us...'
'Thank you so much.'

Miaka's eyes widen in surprise. The soft voices, of all ages, thank her over and over again. But she didn't noticed the water at her feet stirring uncontrollably.

'Onee-chan, you must go to the shrine of Seiryuu.'

"Huh?" Miaka blinked at this.

'No matter what happens, please stay strong.'
'We know you are in deep trouble, yet...you are willing to help us.'
'You will carry...such a heavy burden...'

Miaka smiled kindly. "That won't be enough to stop me." Their tears slowly disappeared and Miaka felt relieved. She looked down when the temperature of the water suddenly dropped and looked worriedly. Then, crafted by the water, a beautiful transparent lotus flower with bluish hue floated and landed on her hands. Mysteriously, tiny streams and droplets of water seems to float out from the edges and tips of the petals. It looked like a huge jewel worth billions. Miaka was instantly captivated by its glamorous appearance. It shined beautifully.

'Please, do take care...'

The blue orbs disappeared one by one. Miaka blinked several times and suddenly looked confused.

'Onee-chan, don't forget to go to the shrine of Seiryuu.' 'You are not alone...'
'Please bare with the pain'

Eh?"

'Take care.'

"Wait!" Miaka called but suddenly grimaced in pain. The lotus flower she held slowly entered her chest. Precisely, towards her heart. Miaka paled and bit her lip. The pain grew and grew. It felt like it was engulfing and binding her heart at the same time.

'Take care'

Miaka gasped in pain and fell on her knees, the water splashed around her. The water didn't calm down instead the small waves became even more rougher. 'It hurts so much!'

"Miaka!" Amiboshi's voice echoed around, unexpectedly. Miaka opened her eyes slightly but she is just in so much pain she can't focused.

"Miaka! Wake up!"

"Aaaaahhh!" Miaka screamed.

...
...

"Nakago-sama?"

Nakago narrowed his eyes, his body tensed and scanned the area around him. The symbol on his forehead glowed dangerously. The servants squealed in fright and dropped to their knees. Something doesn't feel right. But as he scanned the area he couldn't pinpoint the source. It annoyed him greatly that he couldn't tell what it is. Every living thing has a unique chi energy signature, including people. But what he felt didn't feel anything like chi energy. 'What was that?'

"Nakago, is something wrong? Was there an intruder?" Someone asked from behind. Nakago didn't reply and check one last time. Then turned to leave.

"Nothing."

End of Chapter 5

Author: thank you everyone for reading my fan fiction. Don't forget to comment. Let me know your thoughts. :) hehehe