The Next Priestess

Disclaimer: Hey everyone! Hope you like my story so far! Just to let ya know. Taka, Miaka, and Hikari's present last name is Sukunami, not Tsunami. Just making sure, so you all are not confused.

Chapter 4

With dreams of her family and friends, the new priestess silently stirred in her sleep. She began to wake when she heard a soft voice calling to her.

"Miss? Miss are you awake?"

Hikari's blurry vision cleared as the figure of a young man appeared in her eyes. His extremely dark brown hair traveled down to his collar passing his soft amber eyes. He wore a thin white tunic with a red robe covering his body with a light purple sash being tied around his slim waist.

"Good, you're regaining consciousness. Are you feeling all right?" He asked with a gently smile.

"Who are you? Where am I?" She moaned. She slowly pushed herself up against the pillow.

He held out his hands to her hoping she wouldn't lose her balance. "It's all right, you don't need to be frightened. My name is Boushine, you are in the palace of Konan.

"How did...I...end up in a bed?" She asked rubbing her sore temples.

"You fainted in the middle of the throne room."

She gave a loud gasp hiding her mouth with her sweaty palms. "Oh no! The emperor! Hotohori! He was telling me about something very important!"

"Do you mean being the New Priestess of Suzaku?" he asked her.

Surprisingly He knew of what of the emperor had spoken to her about. How if she became the priestess she would be granted 3 wishes, such a responsibility.

"Well- yes- but how did you know that?"

With a gentle smirk he leaned toward the wooden bed stand beside her pouring a small glass of water for the young girl.

"I have my ways around the palace. Did you make a decision? About accepting the power of Suzaku?"

She graciously took the water from him taking a long cool drink.

"Perhaps you would consider the thought of having such power." He said.

"Well, what would you choose? If you were in my position."

"Well, I would become the priestess of Suzaku. For I wouldn't be alone. I would have the Suzaku seven with me."

That's right. If I become the priestess, the Suzaku Seven would be with me.

"I wouldn't be alone." She whispered.

Boushine stood from her bed. "Well I hope I have helped you."

"Yes you have." She slowly stood up on her feet slipping on her shoes.

"Very well. It would be wise if you told the emperor of your decision."

Walking through the hallways of the palace, Hikari kept her eyes peeled on Boushine.

"Boushine, do you live in this palace?"

"I do."

"But how? You look so young to be a court person."

He suddenly let out a soft chuckle. "You are truly something. What is your name?"

"Hikari, Hikari Sukunami." She blushed slightly.

"Hikari…light. It is indeed a very pretty name."

He took her back to the throne room entering as a fellow of the court.

"Ah Boushine, you have come with our guest. Have you made a decision my dear?" asked Hotohori.

"Yes I have." She looked down taking in a sweet short breath. "I've decided...to become the Priestess of Suzaku."

As a large warm smile came upon Hotohori's face, the entire court once again bent down in gracious bows, this time to their new priestess.

"The young girl thought silently as she announced herself as the new priestess of Suzaku." Read Yui.

Taka leaned back placing his hands on his wife's shoulders. "So...it has begun. The new journey."

Tatsuya sighed bringing his head down to the table. "Ohh boy."

"I must admit, I'm glad you have chosen to be the priestess of Suzaku." Said Hotohori.

Boushine stepped up beside Hikari. "Well, she is after all the daughter of Lady Miaka, Father."

Hikari blinked. "F- Father? You- you're a prince?" She asked with her eyes open wide.

"Well, yes I am. Prince Boushine of Konan."

Hotohori held Hikari's hand up holding it tightly. "If you will excuse me, I must write to the other warriors of your arrival."

Boushine and Hikari walked themselves toward the balcony after watching Hotohori take his leave.

"You know, I think I want to go explore the city. May I?" She asked him.

Well I suppose, but try not to be back here too late."

"I won't. See you later Boushine!" She yelled as she ran off.

The city of Konan was nice yet dirty from the hardworking people. It was also peaceful. Little children ran in the streets playing tag as the older ones helped their parents with chores, The elderly people sat down near the carts that sold their merchandise.

So I guess it's too late to call this a dream.

Hikari stepped up to one of the small carts. A young man about the age of 19 blushed at the sight of her turning his head away.

"Can- I help you miss?" He asked.

She leaned over looking among the small items. There were small balls, pieces of jewelry , and many other little treasures.

"Hmm, these items seem really nice. Especially the jewelry, this earring is beautiful."

The small earring was dressed as an emerald green teardrop with slashes of fire scratching through it. The boy gave a slight gulp at her complement.

"Thank you- I made that along with its brother.." he held out the other earring's identical twin.

"You made these? Wow! You're talented." She said with a smile.

"Thank you…Um would you like to try them on?"

"Oh, I don't- sure why not." She said slipping the bent metal through the hole in her ear.

"How does it look?" She asked.

"Unless you wish not to blind people with your beauty, keep them on."

Wow this guy is quite the poet.

She blushed. "Thank you. But I don't have the money to pay for these." She said with disappointment slipping the earrings off.

The boy reached forward gently grasping her hand. "Keep it. Do not worry about paying."

"Oh, you're so kind, thank you." She said looking at their hands being connected.

"Well can I know the name of this young, lovely girl?" he asked.

"Hikari. Hikari Sukunami."

"Your clothing seems unusual. Are you from here?"

"No, I'm the new priestess of Suzaku."

The boy's eyes widened as he blinked in shock. "You're- the- priestess?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Holy gods." He smiled with unbelief. "Mother! Father! Come here and meet the new priestess!" He called.

A man walked out from their little hut with the company of an old woman. He wore a light red tunic with solid black boots. The woman wore a long skirted dress with it being nothing but white and pink.

"The new priestess? But she looks so young." Said his mother.

The boy turned to Hikari. "Yes well. She is lovely enough." He once again let his cheeks go red.

His father chuckled and wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders. "Lady priestess, I am Sano, and this is my wife Kyan. I trust you know my son Shin."

Hikari gave a slight bow. "It's very nice to meet you."

A young girl then cane out of the hut wearing a pure white dress, her hair held back in one loop.

"Mother, Father, you're needed at the oven for Kono, he's having trouble with his bread."

"Ah thank you dear. We hope to see you again m'lady."

After they left Shin turned to the other girl pulling her to his side. "Shana, this is our new priestess."

Shana's green eyes widened at Hikari. "You are? Oh goodness! What an honor it is to have you here! I am Shana, Shin's younger twin sister."

The resemblance from the twins was extremely close. Both with emerald green eyes, the same pale yet tan skin. Shin's hair was a dark purple while Shana's was almost lavender.

"Please feel free to buy anything you wish."

Hikari smiled. "Thank you, but I still have yet to walk around the city."

"Very well. Please come back any time." Said Shin.

Shana gave a slight grin watching her run off. "You like her. Don't you brother?" She asked.

"Well- yes. She is very beautiful and sweet. But she is the priestess." He sighed.

"Well, be thankful you have such feelings, brother."

He looked down at his sister patting her head. "Yes."

Boushine looked down from the balcony seeing Hikari run through the palace gates.

"Hikari! Up here! My father wishes to speak with you about the warriors! Come to the throne room!" he called.

"Ok!" On her way toward the throne room, Hikari noticed a large wall with a picture painted upon it. The picture was of seven figures along with a young female in the center. The maiden's long string like hair flew behind her head exposing her clear soft face. Around her were 7 symbols on different parts of each figure's bodies.

Hikari placed her hand upon it suddenly feeling her mother's presence fly through her. A gust of wind brushed through her hair taking a little breath out of her.

She quickly balanced herself on her feet. "What was that.?" She asked.

"You know…that painting is off limits."

Hikari turned from the painting to the voice's entrance. In front of her stood a man with a black tunic vest with large white sleeves. His legs were baggy black pants being connected with two black boots with a purple stripe around the ankles. His hair looked almost like a large, orange flame, coming down to his collar but the ends all went behind his neck. Attached to his back was a large silver fan.

"It's kind of a memory helper. You understand." He smirked showing two small fangs.

"Says who?" She asked placing her hands on her hips.

He blinked. "Well- eh, ME that's who!" He snapped.

"Hey buddy, the emperor said I can do whatever I want! If you have a problem with that, you can leave!" She snapped back pointing a finger toward the gate.

The orange haired stranger clenched his fists together. "Who died and made you the boss?" he growled.

Hikari stepped forward. "Look! If you have a problem then leave!"

He cocked his eyebrow then turning away from her and stomping off.

She stomped her foot onto the ground with a frustrated cry. "Stupid, know it all, orange haired bimbo!" She growled walking through the throne room doors.