Disclaimer: I am so sorry that it has taken me so long to update everyone. PLEASE DON'T STOP READING!!! YOUR COMMENTS MEAN A LOT TO ME!!!!! I don't own Fushigi Yuugi! BTW this is really important, in my last chapters, I always out some symbols down when there was a scene change, but for some reason they don't appear in this chapter and I put them in on my computer. I cant stand my story looking crappy, so please, can you guys help me out here? I dunno what to do, and until then, I have NO idea if this is gonna make sense to you when the scenes change.. Now onto Chapter 6 of THE NEXT PRIESTESS!!!!
Chapter 6
The large golden doors to the throne room opened and Hikari rushed in running her hands up and down her wet, cold arms. "Br…ugh…I'm so wet…and cold…and it's ALL YOUR FAULT YOU BIG IDIOT!!!!" She yelled, turning onto to Tasuki.
"HEY! I WASN'T THE ONE WHO WAS WALKING AROUND ALONE IN THE BAD PART OF KONAN!!" He growled.
"Well maybe if you hadn't stomped off like an immature child, I wouldn't have had to try and find you!!"
"Ah CAN IT KID!" He yelled.
"What on earth is all the commotion?" Asked Hotohori rushing into the throne room. "Hikari! Good you're back! I was beginning to worry. Tasuki! It is so good to see you old friend!" He said with a smile.
Tasuki smiled back giving Hotohori a slight bow. "Yeah it is good to be back here, in good old Konan."
The three of them turned to see Nuriko and Mitsukake enter in wondering what was happening. "Hey what's with all the- TASUKI!!!!! YA OLD BUM!!! IT"S BEEN FOREVER!" Nuriko squealed running up to Tasuki giving him an extremely tight hug.
"Nu..Nuriko…you're…Ack…. Choking me!!!!" He choked trying to breathe. Nuriko hopped off with an embarrassed smile. "Sorry! I just couldn't help myself."
Mitsukake held out his large hand gently patting him on the shoulder. "It's been a while Tasuki. Have you been well?"
Tasuki smirked. "Course I've been well! You're talkin about ME here! The one and only Tasuki! The brave, handsome, and dashing Tasuki!"
Hikari scoffed crossing her arms. "Nothing dashing about him…" She muttered to herself.
Tasuki turned around to her. "What was that?" He asked raising his eyebrow.
She turned to him with a glare. "I SAID, There…is…. Nothing… dashing…about …him…MEANING YOU!!!"
"What're you talking about??? I AM Dashing!!!! There isn't anything about me that isn't worth desiring!" He said.
"HA PLEASE! A Whore wouldn't even want you!" She said with a grin.
"I JUST SAVED YOU FROM A BUNCH OF THUGS, AND THIS IS HOW YOU REPAY ME??!! BY INSULTING ME?!"
Nuriko leaned in toward Mitsukake holding his hand over his mouth. "Do they…remind you of anyone…?" he asked. Mitsukake blinked as he came to realization.
"What's this?! Hikari, you were attacked?? By whom? I demand to know their identities!" Hotohori said raising his voice.
Hikari turned to the emperor. "Hotohori, really it's ok, I'm fine."
Hotohori placed his hand upon her shoulder. "Be that as it may, I still demand to know who these men were. Tasuki do you remember them well?"
"No, I don't." He said.
Hotohori gave a soft growl. "Very well…we will dismiss them for now. We must discuss on what is to be done about everyone else. Where will we find Churiko? Chichiri?"
"I believe Churiko is in the village of Sohno. Not too far from here. It should be about a day's journey."
"Excellent. We will proceed step by step. If we are going to do this, we must do it with intelligence."
"Yes sir." They said in unison.
"Now, I believe it is time for us to eat. We all have much to discuss my friends." Said Hotohori.
The three warriors followed Hotohori into the dining hall, when Nuriko turned to Hikari. "Come on Hikari. Aren't ya hungry?"
"Huh…?...Oh..yeah…I….mmm…" She took an unsteady step forward feeling the heat rush into her head. "Be..right…be right…there.." She said.
Nuriko rushed over to her. "Hey! What's wrong? You don't look so well."
"I don't feel…very…" She suddenly began to fall toward the floor before Nuriko pulled her into his grasp.
"Hikari! Hey! Hikari!" He placed his hand against her forehead. A fever…and a really bad one at that.
"Mitsukake!!" He yelled.
"The warrior Nuriko yelled out to his friends as he picked up he weak priestess off the floor. " Read Tatsuya.
"Oh no. Hikari.." Whimpered Miaka.
"Miaka…don't worry. She'll be all right." Reassured Taka. "She must have caught a cold in the rain. Mitsukake will heal her right up."
"I honestly don't know what I'd do if you weren't here with me…Tamahome.." Miaka whispered holding his hand on her shoulder.
The voices around her were quiet but clear.
"Is she going to be all right?"
"Do you need anything Mitsukake?"
"I'll get her some food!"
"Stupid girl…"
"Please…all of you. We just have to wait for her to wake up. She'll be fine, but she does have a fever and a sweat coming on."
"What food should I get her?"
"For right now, some warm tea, and soup. That's all."
"Right."
Hikari slowly opened her eyes to Mitsukake leaning over her with a cold, damp washcloth upon her forehead. Hotohori and Tasuki stood behind him. "Mm…"
"Good you're awake. Are you feeling better? Worse?" He asked.
"I feel…ugh…like my head weighs a thousand pounds…" She moaned as she tried to lift herself up onto her pillow.
Boushine held out his hand to her. "Miss Hikari, you shouldn't move. You have a very high fever."
Hikari gave a weak smile and waved her hand. "Nah, its ok I'm fine. I've had way worse than this silly little cold." She replied. "By the way Tasuki, I'm not the stupid one, its you!"
Tasuki growled. "Ah can it. You're sick you should keep your mouth shut."
Nuriko gave him a small flick on his ear. "Be nice you idiot!"
Tasuki flinched at the sudden pain. "OW! HEY!"
Mitsukake stood up. "Tasuki, make yourself useful and fetch Hikari some warm soup"
Tasuki gave scoff and walked off. No respect around here! Sheesh!
"You know, you get sick pretty easily just like your mom." Said Nuriko with a smile.
Hikari laughed. "Yeah she does get sick pretty easily. Especially when it rains. Dad always makes sure she's inside when it rains."
Boushine patted her hand. "Well I am glad to see you're feeling at least a little better. Unfortunately I have something to attend to, but I will see you later Miss Hikari." He said giving her a small kiss on the back of her hand.
After he exited the room, Tasuki entered with a warm bowl of soup on top of a tray. "Here." He placed it down next to her on the bed.
"Thanks." She said picking up the bowl. She slowly sipped the warm liquid and felt its wonderful flavor. "Mmm this is really good".
Mitsukake smiled. "Good, but after you finish, I think it'll be best if you get some more sleep. By tomorrow you should be able to move around without feeling lightheaded."
"Thanks Mitsukake."
Nuriko plopped down next to Hikari and gently poked her with his elbow. "So uh, Prince Boushine sure is friendly with you huh?" He asked.
"Boushine? Yeah I guess, but he has to be. He's a prince."
Nuriko scoffed. "Oh pllleeeaasssee! It doesn't matter if he's a prince or not. I think he liiiikkkesss you." He cooed.
"Goddd you are such a girl Nuriko!" She exclaimed.
Tasuki rolled his eyes. "Man you both are way to girly for me even to be around ya." He said standing up. "And you." He said looking at Hikari. "You should be sleeping right now. The last thing we need is a sick priestess, you'd just be useless."
"Oh yeah? Probably not as useless as you, who happens to have 2 fangs for unknown reason. What, were you a vampire in another life?" Asked Hikari.
Tasuki blinked and scoffed. "WHA'D YOU SAY?!"
Nuriko stood up holding his hands out in front of both of them. "C'mon you two, cut it out. You're acting like a couple kids. Hikari you get some sleep, Tasuki c'mon." He said walking towards the door.
"Fine." Said Tasuki with a pout.
"G'night Hikari." Nuriko said as he closed the door.
"G'night…." Said Hikari softly. She lay down and wrapped her arms around her pillow. She shut her lips tightly as she felt tears start to form in her eyes. "Mom…Dad…I miss you so much…I wish you guys were here.." She said shutting her eyes.
"We miss you too sweetheart…" Said Miaka gripping Taka's hand.