Disclaimer: I do not own fushigi yuugi and its characters. All credits goes to Yuu Watase.
Author's note: Hi there people... I hope the chapters are satisfactory. I know very well that I'm not really that good with my grammar but I will do my best still. Despite this, I hope all of you are enjoying my fan fiction. I can't wait to hear from you guys.
Chapter 9: TURMOIL
Konan Empire:
"You are joking, right?" Tamahome paled. Hotohori, the emperor of Konan, fell on his chair and covered his face with trembling hands.
Chichiri shook his head. "No, I'm not. Taitsukun even confirmed this. "
Nuriko leaned against the wall for support. The situation is way too unbelievable. Miaka was the priestess of Suzaku but not anymore. A switch has been made. Nuriko closed his eyes and sighed tiredly. Just when they are about to set out and rescue Miaka-this happens.
"I'm going to check on Yui-san." Nuriko said and left the throne room.
"THIS CAN'T BE TRUE! CHICHIRI!" Tamahome shouted, desperately.
"Miaka, is our priestess, she can't be the priestess of that god forsaken land!"
'Miaka...' Hotohori was speechless, the girl of his dreams became the enemy of the country. Devastated, he sat there while Tamahome kept yelling and shouting. Hundreds of years had passed since the priestess of the North and West appeared and saved their land from chaos and disaster. There were no records about switching maidens.
"Taitsukun said,..." Chichiri finally spoke again after letting Tamahome scream all of his rage. "...it's possible but it's a taboo. Seiryuu...must have done something."
"Seiryuu..." Tamahome said muttered, loathing the name by the second.
"Taitsukun, doesn't know the reason why Seiryuu did it. However, now that Miaka is the priestess of Seiryuu she is now in even more danger. We can only hope that the Seiryuu warriors will protect her, now that she is one of them."
"I will NOT accept this! This is ridiculous! We can't leave Miaka in Kutou! We don't even know if she is alright!"
"She IS still alive, Tamahome!" Chichiri raised his voice, accidentally. He was getting really irritated with all of Tamahome's shouting.
"You just said she is in more danger now!"
"That is because the Kutou empire is not exactly a stable and safe country. Civil war is common from time to time and even some villages are caught up in it. Bandits roam around almost freely, thief and serial killers lurk about anywhere, and prostitution. Compared to Konan empire, the land of Kutou experiences strange phenomenon all year round and monsters appear out of nowhere. Even during my travels I heard rumors about it. It's even more stranger that Taitsukun couldn't even make contact with the Seiryuu warriors." Chichiri tried to explain but he too, looked exhausted.
"What do you mean...Chichiri?" Hotohori asked.
Chichiri inhaled deeply and looked over. "There is an evil entity in Kutou empire and it is strong enough to ward off Taitsukun's powers. It seems to be even surrounding the entire country. Miaka is not the only one who is danger but the people of Kutou as well."
After that everyone became silent and tension still hung in the air. Tamahome's hands turned to fists as he tried to control himself. 'Miaka...'
"What are we going to do now...?" Tamahome asked quietly this time but anger was still evident in his voice.
"We must find the rest of the Suzaku warriors and summon Suzaku as soon as possible."
...
...
Back in Kutou Empire:
Nakago carried Miaka back to their bed chamber and Bai followed quietly. Chen stayed behind with the soldiers in the shrine to keep things in order. He laid Miaka on the bed and sat beside her. Gazing down on his little wife with an unreadable expression. His face devoid of any kind of emotion.
It is unheard of. The priestess of Suzaku becoming the priestess of Seiryuu. It shouldn't be possible. No...It is NOT suppose to happen. But the signatory chi of a Seiryuu's priestess is proof enough that his little wife is the chosen one.
His eyes narrowed coldly as one of his hands reached for her throat slowly. His hand clamped around her fragile, delicate neck. Without warning, the silvery tip of a thin sword hovered a few inches beside his neck. The gleam in Nakago's eyes disappeared and eyed Bai at the corner of his eyes.
Bai tilted his head to the side and stared back impassively. "Don't misunderstand, general. I am simply protecting my interest."
They both stared sharply at each other and no one move until several footsteps can be heard from the door. Bai casually return his sword to it's sheath and Nakago remove his death grip on his wife's delicate neck.
"Nakago-sama..."
From the back of the room a servant hid secretly as she listened to their conversation. The servant couldn't bring herself to leave as the conversation continued and became intense. She covered her mouth in shock, her eyes widened at what she was hearing.
"How is this possible?" Someone asked in disbelief.
"Whatever, right now I'm just really glad we have a priestess." Amiboshi said, almost excitedly.
"Amiboshi, shut up will you?"
"I do not believe this. This is ridiculous!" Someone said exasperatedly. "Who is she exactly?!"
"This is a lie. So this also means that nothing happened last nig-"
"Don't even go there, freak!"
"Will the two of you shut up?!"
"She is not the priestess of Seiryuu." Nakago said, uninterested and covered Miaka with a blanket before standing up to leave. Bai surprisingly kept quiet and simply listen the whole time.
"But her signatory chi is-"
"Is not that of Seiryuu's." He interrupted and before leaving he gave Bai a blanked, sharp gaze which Bai shrugged off. He left the room leaving them all speechless and confused.
When Nakago left the room followed by the other warriors, the servant gasped and quickly scrambled away as quietly as possible. 'The emperor has to know of this!'
Bai sat quietly near Miaka's bed and smiled knowingly. His eyes glancing to the side for a second before he gazed down on his tiny wife. 'Interesting...'
"Nakago-sama!" Soi hurriedly walked beside him while the other warriors chose to go somewhere else. Nakago didn't do anything to acknowledge her presence nor look at her. She gazed at him and frowned slightly. They have known each other for so long yet she couldn't tell what he is thinking. He remained cold and distant.
'Damn it...that bitch has done something again! Even if she is the priestess of Seiryuu I will never swore loyalty to her!' Soi thought, frustrated. She blushed as she gazed at Nakago beside her. 'I'll only swore my loyalty...to Nakago...'
"Na-Nakago-sama,... that girl is nothing but trouble. We should just get rid of h-"
"You are not in position to tell me what to do." He curtly interrupted without looking at her. Soi's eyes widen in shock.
"B-but she is -"
"My wife. I am a busy person, Soi. Return to your quarters." He said impassively and left her on her own in the corridor. She bit her lip as she watched him leave. Her hands turned to fists unconsciously.
'Nakago-sama...why...'
Nakago walked through along the palace corridor and headed towards the palace underground prison. Turning a corner several soldiers saluted him quickly and opened a chained door. From the door a stair leaded the way down a dark, eerie deep space.
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from the dark chamber causing the soldiers to squeak in fear and terror. "Lord Nakago..."
He ignored them and walked calmly towards the unknown chamber. "I will deal with this myself. No one is to enter without my permission."
"Yes sir!"
...
...
...
A few hours later, Nakago and Bai received an order from the Emperor to go to the northern city district to deal with some rebels that were hiding and destroy their hideout, and Miaka remained unconscious and asleep. The two left immediately to deal with the situation.
In the throne room, a servant bowed before the emperor. She smiled evilly.
"It seems we have a fake priestess in our midst." The emperor frowned dangerously. "Are you sure about this?! Just how did we end up having a fake priestess!"
"Yes, your majesty. There is no way a priestess from another country be our priestess, right?" Someone responded.
"Where is that bitch?!" The emperor questioned angrily. His face turned red from rage.
"Your majesty, she is unconscious in their bed chamber." One of the ministers answered and bowed low.
"Why haven't Nakago informed me of this?"
"We do not know your majesty." They bowed again. The emperor grinned at this and smoothed his beard.
"I remembered that several years ago there was a fake priestess in Sairou. That girl must be fake as well." The emperor said, cunningly.
The ministers looked at one another and grinned. One of them walked forward and bowed. "Your majesty, if I may, I have an idea."
"Interesting. What is it?" He asked. 'That fool...if she thinks she could escape by pretending...'
...
...
...
Somewhere in the palace garden, Amiboshi sat quietly, alone, against a tree. They have all been waiting for the priestess of Seiryuu to appear and even more desperately when Konan's priestess appeared. When Yui appeared suddenly - they thought and believe that she is the one. But despite coming from another world she never claimed to be their priestess and Nakago kept her existence a secret from the emperor and his ministers.
Regardless of her denial, they kept believing that there will be no other except her until...Miaka came.
Amiboshi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He has nothing against Konan and their priestess personally. He doesn't hate them either. His twin brother, Suboshi, who is also a Seiryuu celestial warrior, doesn't care about them but rather he finds them annoying. Amiboshi sighed deeply and opened his eyes narrowly.
When he first met Miaka, he was cautious . He watched over her as Nakago ordered. Being the priestess of Suzaku, Amiboshi thought she was stupid if not foolish and daringly brave - to come to an enemy land to "save" her friend Yui.
Ever since she came to the palace, news and rumors about her causing trouble never seem to cease. Starting from day one to the present. During Yui's stay in the palace was nothing but peaceful but her's was a disaster. Everyday, a storm named 'Miaka' would keep the whole palace awake.
Yes, her presence have rattled everyone off their feet. However,...
"Miaka."
"W-what?"
"You can call me Miaka. Actually, I'm really not used to being called that. I mean... its just too formal and stiff."
Amiboshi recalled their meeting and conversation. When he looked into her big, hazel eyes...it was full of... life. Her spirit was so pure and childish. He could swore that he could feel it radiating from everything she does and say. Yui was very reserve and never really talked to anyone but Nakago, so he couldn't tell. Of course, that doesn't mean she was worst than Miaka. He believed that one day Yui would become the priestess of Seiryuu.
He was cautious around her when they first met, him being a celestial warrior of Seiryuu and she being the priestess of Suzaku. Setting their titles aside, after staying by her side for awhile he eventually calmed and soften up around her. Not because she was stupid and childish but because...she treated him as a person.
She did yell, scream and shouted at Nakago many times and he have seen it with his own eyes but...amusingly, her words are devoid of any hostility. Her threats were all empty.
"You know, you don't look like warrior."
"You think I was lying to you?"
"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."
He find her strange. She acted nothing like a priestess at all. Nothing like the quiet, calm and cautious Yui. Everyone wanted her to suffer...maybe even hoped that she will go crazy and commit suicide. That way it would save them the trouble to killing her with their bare hands. He didn't wish for that of course but he can't do anything about the others. Nakago, on the other hand, is mysterious as well - since he married Miaka, that just protected her even more from the emperor's clutches.
Amiboshi snorted and smiled a little to himself. He brushed a hand through his hair and looked up at the ever so gloomy sky. 'Seriously... what the heck is going on?'
All of them. The Seiyuu Celestial Warriors. They all felt it, the signatory chi of Seiryuu radiating from Miaka. She was no longer the priestess of Suzaku. However, it is beyond them why Nakago deemed it fake. Hell, it doesn't make any sense...
But...
It may be hard for them to comprehend all the hidden secrets but at least for him It may be hard for them to comprehend all the hidden secrets but at least for him...somehow, for the first time in a long while, he doesn't care about the details.
Closing his eyes again, he placed a hand on his chest and felt his heart beating calmly against his chest. He wished he could share his thoughts and feelings with the others but he couldn't find the courage to do so.
If Miaka is their chosen priestess, proven by the signatory chi that undoubtedly radiates from her , he would take the risk and bet with all of his heart and soul as the celestial warrior of Seiryuu that she is the priestess of Seiryuu.
...
...
...
"Daddy!"
"Daddy!"
"There is my little girl hahaha..." A tall man with russet hair bent down and picked up the seven year old girl with cute pigtails.
"Daddy! I played with Yui-chan today." She said happily.
"Really? My little girl already has her own best friend, hahaha..." He laughed and then suddenly caught the sudden change in her face.
"What's wrong? Did something happen, Miaka?"
Little Miaka bit her lip sadly. "The others...don't want to play with me..."
"Why is that?"
"They said...they don't trust a glutton like me." Little Miaka sniffle, sadly. Her becoming all teary. Mrs. Yuuki smiled at her comforting and pat her head gently.
"My little girl...listen to me carefully..." He said soothingly. Little Miaka looked up at her dad with her big, teary hazel eyes.
"No matter how much someone distrust you... do not hate them for it. Do not do anything that will hurt them..."
Little Miaka blinked at this, confused. "But...they hurt me. They hurt Yui-chan too because she is with me-"
Mr. Yuuki closed his eyes and shook his head. He embraced her and sat on he sofa. "My dear little girl,...if you cannot ask them to trust you if you don't trust them."
"What do I do Daddy?" She wiped her face with her sleeves. Mr. Yuuki smiled at her.
"Trust. Trust them."
"Trust? You want me...to believe in them?"
"Yes." He tapped her little nose playfully. "I know its hard to understand what I just said but..." He hugged her gently. "...I believe in you my little girl. I believe in you."
Little Miaka blinked at him. "O-Okay, Daddy." She smiled at him weakly and hug him back.
"That's my little girl." He said happily and kissed on her forehead. She giggled in his arms.
"But right now...you have to wake up." Miaka laughed at his sudden, uncharacteristic serious tone.
"Daddy, you are so weird. I'm awake."She said and then looked up but didn't see him there. She blinked and suddenly found herself surrounded in darkness.
"D-Daddy?" Her tiny voice echoed and she trembled in fear. "What..."
"You have to wake up!" Her father's voice echoed urgently through the darkness.
"Daddy!"
"WAKE UP!"
...
((("WAKE UP!" )))
Miaka jerked sharply from her sleep and groaned in pain as she felt the wet, stinging, coldness of the stoned floor. She felt bruised a little and tried to push herself up but stopped abruptly when she felt the floor vibrate beneath her hands. 'What the...'
Suddenly she heard a low growl from behind and froze. Her body started to shake and felt her body forming a cold sweat. She paled as the growl slowly becomes louder and this time, accompanied by the eerily, tapping of something...with claws?!
"This is the first time..."
Miaka swallowed hard and shakily turned her head around. Her eyes widen in horror and found herself face to face with a large wolf. A talking wolf. 'No!'
"This is the first time someone actually brought a woman before me..."
'Somebody!'
End of Chapter 9