Disclaimer: I AM ON A ROLL!!!! WHOOHOOO!!! I do not own Fushigi Yuugi. Just so everyone knows, I was an IDIOT and I skipped an entire chapter by accident, so if you're confused I'll explain it to you. I just added in the Chapter between Family Time 1, and The New Journey Begins. It's called the book, and it actually EXPLAINS how Hikari got a hold of the book. SO please don't be confused.

Chapter 7

"Priestess…Priestess of Suzaku…Hikari.."

Hikari looked around her and saw nothing but darkness. "Who- Who's there? Who are you?" She asked.

"There is no need to search around you…I cannot be seen."

"What do you want?" She asked.

"Such an interesting question…what could I possibly want from the Priestess of Suzaku…?"

"Look, I don't know who you are but you better stop playing this game with me. I'm not much for mind games."

Hikari shuddered as the deep male voice suddenly smirked. "Oh, this is not a game my dear…oh not at all.."

"…I mean it…stop it!" She yelled.

"You will die…Hikari…"

"TELL ME WHO YOU ARE!" She cried.

"Hikari? You ok?"

Hikari suddenly opened her eyes and saw Nuriko looking down at her. "Nuriko…?"

"Yeah silly. What's the matter? You were tossing and turning along when I came in here. Your face is covered in sweat." He placed the back of his hand on her forehead and smiled. "But hey! Your fever's gone!"

Hikari took a breath. "Oh, really?" She asked.

"Were you having a bad dream or something?"

Hikari shook her head. "Nah, its nothing." She said. "I'll go ahead and get dressed. Where is everyone?"

He poured her a cup of water and handed it to her. "They're all outside in the courtyard."

"What?? Ack I HATE being the last one up!" She cried.

Nuriko laughed and walked towards the door. "Don't worry about it. See ya out there!" He said closing the door.

Hikari hopped out of bed removing her nightgown and grabbed her school uniform. She slipped it on and ran outside toward the courtyard,

"So I think we should go look for the others today. Since Churiko is the closest, we should probably start with him." Said Tasuki.

"I agree." Said Mitsukake.

"Yeah but guys the problem is, we don't know if we'll recognize him or not." Said Nuriko.

"Why wouldn't you recognize him?" Asked Hikari coming into the conversation.

"Well, it's kinda complicated." He replied.

"You see Hikari, for the Suzaku Seven, during their service of the priestess, they remain in their youth. Or rather, they stay as their current age while serving the priestess. But when they are finished with their duties, they begin to age normally. Take me for example; after I was resurrected, and since I had Houki and Boushine, I began to age normally."

"And if we don't have anyone like that, then it takes us longer to age. But at the same time, we're not too far in age from each other. His majesty was 18 when he served your mom, now he's only 34. Since it's been 15 years since we've served as warriors. For guys like Tasuki, Mitsukake and myself, we just take forever to age." He said with a smile.

"Yeah well I dunno about the rest of you, but I am happy being 23. I'm still young!"

"Yeah…we know…we just said that you idiot." Muttered Nuriko.

"You're-You're 23???" Asked the surprise Hikari. "But, it's been 17 years! You should be A LOT older than that!"

"Sheesh, both of you guys don't listen at all. That's what we're saying. I wasn't exaggerating when I say it takes us a WHILE to age." Said Nuriko.

"Wow…it's so complicated."

"Hikari, are you feeling better? We should get started on searching for the others." Said Hotohori.

Hikari stretched her arms over her head. "Oh Yeah! I feel so much better! I could do cartwheels if I wanted to!"

Hotohori laughed. "That's wonderful. I already have horses waiting for all of you."

"Yes, we should leave as soon as possible." Mitsukake added. "Let's go."

Nuriko and Tasuki nodded and headed toward the front gate. As Hikari began to follow them, Hotohori stopped her. "Wait Hikari. Here." Hotohori pulled out a long sword within its scabbard. "You must take this with you. It will help protect you from danger."

"Whoa…" whispered Hikari.

"This is the holy sword I used to protect your mother with. I gave it to her when she went on her journey, and now I give it to you." He said.

"Thank you so much Hotohori. This…is…wow…" She said. "But…aren't you coming with us?"

"I wish I could Hikari. But I must stay here, as the emperor I must. But don't worry, Boushine will be accompanying all of you."

"Really? Oh that's great! The more the merrier!" Said Hikari cheerfully."

"He may not have the power of a Suzaku Warrior, but he is known as the best swordsman in the empire."

Hikari nodded. "That's great!" For a minute, Hikari worried that Boushine wouldn't be able to protect himself. Hotohori, Mitsukake, and Hikari began to walk towards the front gate with guards following behind them. By the time they got there, the horses were ready and the front gate was open.

"Now please, all of you. Be safe. I will not be with you on this journey so I can only pray for your safety." Said Hotohori to all of his friends.

"Hey c'mon! It's us you're talking to! We'll be fine! Even if we are babysitting a little kid." Grinned Tasuki. He laughed t his joke.

"HEY! I'M NOT A KID! SHUT UP!" Hikari yelled.

"Father, I'm ready." Hotohori turned toward Boushine as he walked down the stairs.

Hikari turned to look at Boushine and felt the blood go to her cheeks. Wow! He sure is cute!

Boushine wore a white lone sleeved shirt underneath a long red robe which came down to his knees. His pants were a black color with black boots. His long chestnut brown hair draped over his shoulder.

"Excellent." Hotohori held out his hand to Boushine and took him into his arms. "Be careful my son. Protect Hikari."

"I will father. Don't worry." Boushine reassured his father giving him a smile.

"Erm…Hotohori…where's my horse?" Asked Hikari.

"Oh don't worry Miss Hikari, you will be riding with me." Said Boushine pulling himself up onto his horse. He held out his hand to Hikari and pulled her up to sit in front of him.

"Once you find Chichiri, try to find a way to contact me." Said Hotohori.

"We will Sire." Said Nuriko. "All right guys let's go!" He said giving his a horse a light kick. All four horses began to gallop towards the gate. Hikari looked forward and smiled.