The next morning, she stretched and got dressed to leave. She was just about to open the door when someone knocked on her door. Opening it revealed a guard. "Priestess there is a letter for you. It just arrived moments ago." Thanking him she closed the door and sat down on the edge of the bed as she carefully opened it.
Dear Miaka,
I hope you are well. Hotohori informed me of your condition and the plans. I have much to tell you and will try and see you on your way to Taiitsukun, but Nakago is keeping an eye on me. I fear we may not be the only ones who remember. I have gathered many of the Seiryu seven and will be having the ceremony soon. I am stronger than I was and won't let the beast god devour me this time. You take care of yourself and see you soon.
Love,
Yui
Miaka held the letter close and cried. Even though Yui had been gone less than a week she missed her so much and worried about her. By the sounds of her letter though she had made it safely to the palace. Smiling she went to find Hotohori as the sun was rising, but half way there she started to fall. Covering her face, she expected to hit the concrete, but felt a pair of arms wrap around her and catch her. Looking up she saw it was Hotohori. "Miaka you shouldn't strain yourself." He picked her up and carried her back to his quarters. When they arrived, he set her down on his bed. "Miaka I was coming to let you know we were almost ready to go, but it's still early yet. Why don't you get some more sleep until it's time to go.": She nodded and he left her to go get everything ready.
Once everything was in order, he returned to see Miaka sleeping on his bed. Smiling he sat on the corner of the bed and lightly shook her awake. "Miaka come on it's time to leave." She opened her eyes and smiled. He stood up and grabbed some clothes as he went behind a folding screen. "Miaka I will have you ride with me while we are on our journey. I hate to ask this of you, but we will need you to dress as inconspicuous as possible." He came out from behind the screen and pulled out a pair of clothes fit for an empress. "Hotohori I can't." He smiled at her. "Please Miaka my only other choice is covering you with a sheet."
She looked at him and turned around going behind the screen. When she came out Hotohori had to cover his mouth, so she wouldn't see him trying not to laugh. "Miaka come here and let me help you." She walked forward and stood in front of him. He looked at her for permission and she nodded. He untied the ribbons holding the obi in place and tightened her kimono before retying the ribbons over her obi. "Thank you," she mumbled. The kimono was a soft purple with splashes of pink. Even though it was meant to look like commoner clothing it had a certain royal look to it. He smiled and walked over to his dresser. "Here Miaka let's fix your hair." "I ca… can do it myself," she blushed. "Please it would be my pleasure. It isn't every day I get to fix the hair of a woman as beautiful, so allow me this one pleasure." She sat down as he brushed through her hair. It felt calming and she couldn't be happier. When she saw Yui she had to tell her.
"There we go, all done." She looked in the mirror and smiled. He had braided her hair into a bun. Leaning down he wrapped his arms around her and she touched his wrist with her hand. "You look wonderful Miaka," said Hotohori. She looked at his reflection and smiled. Could she really do it? Could she really marry Hotohori when all this was over? She turned to look at him. "Hot…mmph." Her eyes widened at the sudden kiss, but after a moment she started to kiss him back. He smiled at her after breaking the kiss. "We…we should go m…meet the others," said Miaka. As she stood up his hand wrapped around her wrist pulling her close. "I meant what I said before Miaka. When this is all over, I want you to marry me." He released her and the two of them walked to the stables to be greeted by Tamahome, Nuriko, and Hotohoris' council. "Your Majesty you needn't accompany them," said one of the council men. "Now if an Emperor can't leave his palace how will he govern his empire?" "But, even dressed casually you still look like an Emperor, sire." "When you're right, you're right," smiled Hotohori. Miaka rolled her eyes. She knew he would get better and not be so vain, but right now it was annoying. Everyone saddled up and once Hotohori was seated he pulled Miaka on in front of him. "Look after things in my absence," he said.
Once they were in the forest Miaka felt her fever return and decided to go find the hot spring that was deep in the forest. Once there she was relaxing when she heard rustling in the bushes. She froze and waited for whoever or whatever it was to show themselves. A moment later Yui came through the bushes. Miaka breathed a sigh of relief. "Jeez Yui, you scared me." She giggled and sat down on the grass at the edge of the hot spring. "How are you feeling Miaka?" she asked. "As good as can be expected." "So, I have exciting news," said Yui. "What is it?" "I've thought of a way that benefits both Konan and us. The wishes I make will take down Seiryu and Kotou," said Yui.
Miaka looked at her and frowned. "I love your idea Yui, but in order to protect yourself from any danger you need to wait until I summon Suzaku." Yui nodded as they talked for a little while longer. They talked for a little bit longer before Miaka saw Nuriko coming towards them. "There you are Miaka, everyone is looking for you. Oh, who are you?" "My name is Yui; we met briefly after the Gazebo fell on Miaka." "Oh yeah, I remember you now. What are you doing all the way out here?" "I came to visit Miaka, Hotohori sent me a letter informing me of Miakas' condition." He nodded but grabbed Miakas clothes. "Come on Miaka we need to get you dried off and back into your clothes if I don't bring you back those boys will start chopping down the entire forest to find you."
Miaka giggled as Nuriko grabbed a towel and handed it to her. Between Yui and Nuriko Miaka was redressed and at least presentable. "Nuriko do you mind if I have five minutes alone with Yui?" she asked. "Fine five minutes, but then we head back." She nodded as Nuriko left the clearing. "You know Miaka Nuriko is kind of cute. How didn't you fall for him the first time?" she asked. "You know why Yui I was hung up on Tamahome. Speaking of Tamahome Yui, I don't think I have feeling for him anymore. When I saw him with you after I decided to look for you, I didn't feel my heart race. I know now I like Hotohori. I'm not sure if I love him, but I know that I feel something for him. I mean he did kiss me and I returned it."
Yui smiled at her best friend. Miaka could be a little dense sometimes, but it was best to let her work it out herself. Nodding she listened to Miaka work through her feelings until Nuriko reappeared. "Miaka, lets' go!" She nodded and gave a hug to Yui before she remembered what was in her letter. "Yui about Nakago…" "He has said things that implies he remembers our last trip. It took the twins and I a couple of hours to lose him." She nodded before disappearing in the forest. They walked quietly for some time before Nuriko stopped and looked at her. "Nur…" she began. "So, you like Hotohori huh?" he questioned. "I'm sorry I know you like him." Miaka looked down and Nuriko pulled her into a hug. "Listen to me Miaka, no matter what I want your happiness should be first. You may be the Priestess of Suzaku, but you are also just Miaka. A girl from another world, be it an impossible one."
Miaka hugged him bag and the two returned to the camp. "Miaka!" Hotohori and Tamahome shouted. They got up and ran over to her. "Are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you?" asked Hotohori. She shook her head and smiled. "Uh uh, I just went to take a bath in the hot spring and got lost with the time. Nuriko came and found me." "Miaka wh…" She kicked Nuriko and shook head. "Man, I'm beat. I think I'm going to go to bed." She laid down by the fire and closed her eyes. Nuriko stared at the Priestess trying to figure out why she didn't want to mention Yui. Deciding to ask her later she laid down by the fire as Hotohori took the first watch.