Part two: Finding the others
It's been a week since Miaka became the priestess of Suzaku. We are no closer to finding the other five warriors. Glancing down at my wrist where the character for fox has appeared several times. Shaking my head jumping up from my bed tying my hair back into a braid. The need for some air evident deciding a walk around the garden will do me some good.
Walking through the halls when Miaka and Tamahome came running around the corner. "Miaka?" Grabbing my arm pulling me with her as she continued to run. "Where are we going?"
"To see Hotohori." Shouting behind her. Looking over at Tamahome who only shrugged his answer. Reaching his room when she tripped falling on her face in front of his highness. Sweat dropping as we entered the room just behind her.
"Miaka?" He asked as she looked up at him.
"Hotohori oh I mean emperor." She greeted him as she got up off the floor.
"I'm glad to see that you are well. I am sorry that I have been to busy to come and stay with you." He apologized.
"You don't have to be sorry." She bowed to him in respect. Just standing beside Tamahome as they spoke. Why was I even here in the first place? I really wanted to go for a walk.
"And now you are?" questioning her.
"Well, actually I would like for you to tell me what I have to do to obtain the real power of Suzaku." She explained. That caught my attention just as he unrolled a red scroll.
"So, it's come to that. It's written in this scroll." Holding it up she gasped then looked at me. Nodding as I recognized it as it resembled the book from the library. "Do you recognize it?"
"Yeah, I think I do."
"The Universe of the four gods." Saying out loud causing Hotohori to look at me.
"That's the one." Miaka exclaimed glancing over her shoulder.
"The one what?" Tamahome asked.
Hotohori continued to explain how the scroll came to be as the first emperor was given it to him by the one who controls this world Taiitsukun. "We divide by four the thirty-two regions of the heavens that eight constellations where each cardinal point and these points are the four gods.
Suzaku is the general term given for eight constellations found in the southern heavens. The members in the realm of the constellation, Chichiri, Tamahome, Nuriko, Hotohori, Chiriko, Tasuki, Mitsukage and Hui-Li. These are the Suzaku eight." He lifted his hand pulling down his shirt revealing the symbol. "I'm Hotohori the sea snake. Tamahome you are the crab and one of the eight warriors. Eri you are Hui-Li the fox and another of the eight. You must protect the priestess and bring her power."
Holding out the scroll to Miaka. "The universe of the four gods says that this is the story of a girl who gathered all eight of the Suzaku warriors and made her dreams come true."
"That means if we can find the five-other people with the signs of the warriors on their bodies." Tamahome started.
"I can make my dreams come true?" Miaka asked.
"You have to find the others on your own. The power of Suzaku is not granted until the eight warriors gathered together." Hotohori explained.
"Tamahome? Did you know?" Miaka asked him.
"Know what?" Asking her back.
"That you have been named for one of the constellations?"
"Yeah."
"Hotohori, I mean your highness you too?"
"Of course, I knew."
"Eri?"
"No. How can I be a warrior when I'm not even from here?" Deciding I had enough I left the others alone in his highness's room. Nothing made any sense to me about how I became one of Suzaku's warriors.
Snapping out of my thoughts finding myself in the garden, sitting down next to a tree by the pound. Laying my head on my knees trying to understand what all of this meant. Am I truly from here and not the world of my brother and sister.
Feeling myself drifting off I heard a shout. Looking up seeing a little boy who resembled a younger version of Tamahome. Next to him was a little girl who resembled me. "Hui-Li you better stick close to me or mother will be unhappy if you get hurt."
"I'm okay brother." She called bouncing a little yellow ball. It bounced a little too high flying over her head and right into the river. Racing after it trying to get it when she slipped falling into the water. "Brother!" Screeching as her body fell beneath the water's surface.
"Hui-Li!" He cried and cried trying to find her.
"MIAKA!" Yelling woke me up causing me to panic. It was Hotohori's voice. Then a scream.
"Miaka." Racing over to where the commotion was. Reaching the emperor seeing a building had collapsed.
"Your highness what happened?"
"Eri. Tamahome and Miaka are trapped beneath the rubble." He explained. Rushing up to the rubble, trying to clear away the mess. Hotohori started to help me. Trying desperately to get to Miaka.
If anything happened to her I'd never forgive myself. She is my little sister and I am supposed to protect her. "Please Miaka say something. Tell me you're alright." My hands became raw and bloody as the rubble scratched them at my feeble attempts to free them.
"Eri your hands." Hotohori exclaimed as he saw the blood smearing the rubble.
"I don't care, I need to get to them." Continuing to chuck stone after stone until I heard someone say.
"I can do that sire." Looking behind me seeing a woman coming up to us. She began tossing the pieces of rubble behind her as if they were nothing more than sticks. "Oh, they're still alive." Chucking the last piece away. "You have the devil's luck." She began to dust off her dress.
"You have done well protecting the priestess." Hotohori announced to Tamahome.
"You scared me half to death, I thought you were going to die." Miaka shouted at him. "All for some silly oath." He began to laugh. "Well is that why?"
"I have a mind of my own and I do what I feel like doing. But you are going to pay me back for this someday. Miaka."
"Thanks for saving me." She looked down and gasped. "Eri what happened to your hands?" Looking down moving them slightly, wincing as they stung.
"She hurt them trying to dig you out." Hotohori told her. "We need some attendance over here." Someone came over and began to clean my wounded hands making me hiss.
Looking over at Tamahome things began to fall into place. If I am the constellation of the fox called Hui-Li does that mean Tamahome is my brother? Shaking my head trying to think straight.
"Are you alright miss?" The medic asked me. Shaking my head when the woman shouted as Hotohori advanced to her.
"I'm known as Karin. But my given name is Nuriko sire." She explained.
"I have never noticed you a warrior before." He announced. Miaka got up going to them.
"The fourth of the eight warriors is definitely a female." Miaka shouted happily.
Tuning out as my hands were being wrapped. Thinking about the dream I had. Then a memory of when mom told me on my thirteenth birthday being adopted from China when I was about five years old. That I was found in a river with no memory of my past.
Brought out of my thoughts by Miaka gasping. Seeing her staring behind me. Glancing over my shoulder seeing Nuriko was kissing Tamahome. "That escalated fast." Was the only thing that came to my mind.
"Eri?" Miaka growled at me.
"What?" She stalked off leaving us as Nuriko grabbed Tamahome dragging him off somewhere in the palace leaving Hotohori and I looking at each other wondering what in the world was going on. Sighing looking down at my dirty outfit deciding to go change. Bowing to his highness. "Excuse me sire."
"Eri wait a moment. There seems something is bothering you. Please will you tell me?" Walking back into the palace as we sat in a more comfortable room instead of his room or the throne room. Looking down at my bandaged hands remembering my dream telling him everything.
"And that maybe somehow I'm Tamahome's sister. But your highness how can that be?" Placing my bandaged hand to my head.
"It might be the same way as Miaka being brought here even though she's from another world all together. Eri being Tamahome's sibling might explain how you also have a constellation. It would make more sense if you are twins." Explaining to me. My head was in such a jumbled mess that I needed to be alone.
"Excuse me your highness." Bowing to him as I stood to leave. Before I left a hand was laid on my shoulder stopping me from leaving. Turning around seeing how close we were caused me to blush.
"Eri, please call me Hotohori." Brushing a strand of hair out of my face letting his hand linger slightly on my face. My heart flipped sending sensations down my back landing in my stomach. Backing up from him smiling a little.
"Excuse me, it's growing late, I should check up on Miaka." Quickly turning back, heading for the door leaving the emperor as fast as I could. Shaking my head there is no way that someone like him would ever have feelings for me. I just need to nip this in the bud as soon as possible.
Going to my room laying down on my bed staring at the ceiling as my eyes drifted and sleep over came me. Not sure how long I was out until a feeling of dread over came me. Waking up looking around. It had grown late, and it was dark. Getting up as fast as I could rushing outside seeing Miaka coming out of the pound soaking yet.
"Oh Miaka. Isn't it late to go swimming?" Going up hugging her.
"I was helping Nuriko. She had dropped her earring somewhere around here. But I couldn't find it and ended up falling in the pond. But I did find this pretty stone that I'm gonna give her." She started for Nuriko's room when we could hear both her and Tamahome shouting about something.
"She irritates me, her and her sister. They both have the emperor's attention, as well as yours. Thankfully I haven't seen much of the elder sister, but this little "girl" keeps both of you to her self. I have been in the harem for almost a year and he's never paid me any attention.
They suddenly show up and all of a sudden, all the men go nuts over the "girl" which I don't understand at all. What makes her so special huh? What does the emperor see in her? She isn't even a woman yet. So, I decided to get a little revenge on her and take you away from her."
Standing there listening to this green-eyed monster spilling her guts over her little plan while Miaka and I were listening. "Oh dear." Everyone looked at us then at her. "So, you're in love with Hotohori I mean the emperor." She walked up to them as I leaned against the wall and just watched from the sidelines.
"I'm really glad you're safe." Tamahome said as she just walked right up to Nuriko.
"So, what. I don't care. I will not apologize. It's your own fault for being such an idiot."
"I know." Miaka replied calmly.
"Everybody indulges you just because you come from some other world." Nuriko trying to get a rise out of her. But wasn't working only making her angrier.
"Right."
"Quit taunting me. Are you so scared of me that you can't fight back? Or don't you think I mean it?" Slapping Miaka right across the face. Now this witch was pissing me off. Pushing off the wall when an arm stopped me. Looking over seeing that it was Tamahome who stopped me.
"Stop it!" Miaka demanded slapping her back. My mouth dropped a bit from her reaction. I have never seen her hit anyone before that includes me and Keisuke. She began to dig into her blazer for the stone that she found. "I couldn't find your earring, but I brought you this pretty stone. Here." Holding it up for her. "You don't have to be jealous of me, I'm just Hotohori's uh the emperor's friend. Maybe I can help you out. Casually let him know how you feel." Handing her the stone as she smiled at the older woman.
Nuriko turned around starting to cry. Shaking my head at how silly and stubborn this woman is turning out to be. Although smiling at how much my little sister has grown taking care of this situation without making it into a huge deal. Placing my hand onto Miaka's head smiling at her.
"What am I? Chopped spring roll or something?" Tamahome asked making us laugh. Miaka let out a sneeze causing us to realize that she was still soaked and needed to get into dry clothes.
In my room getting ready for bed once again when there was a knock on my door. "Eri?"
"What is it Miaka?" Asking her as she was just wearing her robe.
"Will you come with me to explain to his highness about Nuriko's feelings for him?" About to say no she gave me her puppy dog eyes. Sighing nodding as I grabbed my robe and walked with her to his highness's room.
"I'm just going to stay out here. Go on in Miaka." Pushing her forward a bit smiling at her as she was a bit unsure then took a deep breathe and nodded.
She started to explain to him about how Nuriko feels about him as she made her promise to a certain drama queen. It was taking a lot longer than I thought as I sat down in front of the door pulling my knees to my chest as I waited. Miaka had left the door slightly ajar so I could see in. She explained to Hotohori about Nuriko's feelings for him.
"Miaka do you have someone you love?" Hotohori asked her.
"Well I?" She stuttered but stopped. "But we're not talking about me are we." She nervously laughed off his question.
"I have someone. All of my life I have been waiting for only one woman." There was a sudden gasp causing me to look up. He had pushed her onto the bed. For reasons unbeknownst to me I wanted to get up and stop him, but I couldn't move. I was stuck in my spot of just watching them.
"When I was a child, I was told about the legend of Suzaku who came from another world. And since then I often dreamed of what she would be like. Miaka you are the one I have imagined. The only woman whom I am interested in. And I want to know all about you. Everything." Watching as he slowly bent down towards her.
My heart seemed to ache as tears stung my eyes. Why was this happening to me? I have only had a few discussions with him. It's not like had a crush on him or anything. I hardly knew this man. And besides I knew from the start that he would never be interested in me. I don't even know who I really am.
Right before they kissed he stopped and pulled a sword from under the pillow where Miaka was laying. He went over to the wall slicing at it. Cutting it to pieces revealing Tamahome and Nuriko. They acted like they weren't there eavesdropping. But wasn't I doing the same thing? I came with Miaka to bring her courage to speak to his highness, but I stayed and listened to their whole conversation. Am I no better than those two?
"What are you two doing here?" They acted dumb which was very pathetic. They climbed over the wall and into the room. "Answer me."
"Sire we have come to pick up Miaka." Tamahome declared.
"Well Tamahome you should have been more considerate tonight and thought this through a little better. Even though I had previously granted you permission to enter my chamber."
"I'm sorry sire." Tamahome apologized.
"Hotohori will you excuse me please?" Miaka asked causing them to look at her.
"Miaka, I meant everything I told you earlier. You say you want to find a way back to your own world. But you must reconsider because after our mission I want you for my wife." My heart shattered into a thousand pieces just from his proclamation.
"You want me for your what?" Miaka gasped.
"Of course, it's not an imperial command. You can't order one to change their mind. I know that. I will find a way to make you fall in love with me Miaka. You can sleep in here tonight." He started coming to the door where I was sitting on the floor right in front of.
Quickly getting to my feet but unable to move. Frozen in place and frankly I didn't care about getting caught. He walked out the door and was surprised to see me. "Eri what are you doing here?"
"I…um came with my sister." Telling him the truth.
"You heard everything that happened?" Nodding at his question. "Then can I ask for your blessing as her only family here." Trying to get my head around what was happening. Looking down at my bandaged hands remembering how frantic he was trying to get to her when she was trapped. There was never any hope for me. Placing a false smile on my face looking back at him.
"What ever my sister want's I will fully support her. I want her to be happy." He smiled back at me placing his hand on my shoulder. Then he left to go to another room leaving everyone in his room.
Shaking my head leaving for my own room. Once the door was closed the tears fell. The feeling of being alone suddenly hit full force. Here Miaka is gaining attention from everyone around in this world but I am left alone. I love my sister I truly do, but this feeling of being left alone was heartbreaking. Laying in bed letting everything happen today disappear into the dark of my subconscious.
"Daughter of Suzaku fear not. You are not alone. Everything will become clear in due time. Rest and continue to protect her." A male's voice echoed through my dream.
Knocking on my door woke me up from a dreamless sleep. Yawning and stretching as the knocking persisted. "Eri come on wake up!" Miaka shouted. Getting out of bed making my way to the door. She went from knocking to pounding.
"What is it Miaka?" She barged into my room all mad and huffy explaining that Tamahome treated her like a stranger.
"We need to follow Tamahome and Nuriko. Come on get dressed or I will never be able to find them." Shouting her demands at me.
"Why do I have to come?" Whining and wanting to go back to bed. I wasn't in the mood to play stalker today. Looking down at her as she started to sniffle. Oh man. "Alright give me a second." Getting changed quickly into an outfit that was in my wardrobe.
A plain light purple dress with a plum belt. The dress went mid thighs, looking around finding a pair of black leggings, then slipping on a pair of black flats. Going up to her as she wrapped a brown cloak around her.
"You stick out like a sore thumb Miaka." She just shrugged. She was still wearing her uniform another sign of sticking out. Shaking my head, we walked down the streets of the village following Tamahome and Nuriko. "So why are we following those two?"
"Nuriko says that she loves Hotohori yet she's clinging onto Tamahome." Groaning over this as we continued to follow them.
"Miaka do you have a thing for Tamahome?" Her face went bright red meaning I hit the nail right on the head. "How cute. But what about his highness and his betrothal?"
"I'm not thinking about that right now. Eri just drop it." She snarled catching me off guard with her attitude.
Stopping in front of a large building with lots of steps. Tamahome ran up them and started calling to get the crowds attention. "Ladies and gentlemen! Hey everyone, pay attention up here! Have you heard about the priestess of Suzaku?"
"Yeah what about her?" Someone shouted back up at him.
"I'm here to tell you she's not from any near by country nor is she from a far away country. She's not even from this world at all. She's actually from a whole other world! It's obvious."
"What is?" Someone asked.
"From the clothes she wears and the property she owns are unattainable in our world. And I'm going to sell some of this stuff to a few lucky buyers today!" He went on and on. Pulling out three sticks of gum selling them for one silver ryo apiece. Sweat dropping at how riled the crowd was getting over gum.
"So, he kept all that gum. Every single piece." She mumbled under her breath. If he was in our world he'd be a great sales person. Could probably sell garbage with his silver tongue.
"Hey how do we know it's her stuff? I heard she's the emperors favorite and is always with him!" Someone shouted angerly. Nuriko grabbed him by the shirt front and yelled at him. They all started getting angry calling him a con and a crook.
"Everything this man says is true. And everything he has is what I gave him!" Miaka shouted gaining everyone's attention as she threw off her disguise. Here we go again drawing more attention to ourselves.
"That's her alright the priestess of Suzaku." Someone called. Then Tamahome came over blocking her from the others.
"Alright folks the line forms here for her autograph, her hand shakes. They all have to go through me. Step right up and bring your money pouch." He instructed.
"Hey who made you my agent!" Miaka shouted at him.
"I've seen him before with the priestess and isn't that her sister?" That's when the crowd started to descend upon us. Dropping to our knees as we crawled through people's legs to get out. Following her and Tamahome as we ran down an alleyway. Breathing hard trying to catch our breath.
"We made it out, we're safe," he sighed.
"Yeah." She agreed.
"Why is it that I always end up in a jam when I'm with you two?" Complaining glaring at the two of them.
"Why did you do that anyway?" Tamahome asked Miaka ignoring my complaint. Rolling my eyes as I sat down on the ground.
"Am I bothering you in some way?" She asked him.
"I've never said anything like that." He plainly said.
"Well what do you think of me?"
"Sorry to interrupt," Someone said coming up to us. Great not again. Standing up not liking the looks of these guys. "But we need a word with you."
Stepping in front of Miaka to keep her protected. "So, tell me what's on your mind buddy?" Tamahome asked.
"You gotta pay us a protection fee to work around here." A man with a knife threatened.
"Boy yakuza here?" Miaka voiced.
"Well I don't have any money for that." Tamahome bluntly put.
"Well if that's the case then we'll have to take it out in trade." The one with an orange headband said when someone grabbed Miaka then me.
"Hey let her go!" Shouting as I struggled against the one who held me. His grip tightened around my wrists and throat just as they were holding Miaka.
"She's a real sweet one isn't she. And that one." A man pointed at me. "She'll get us a lot of money."
"Hey baldy let them go," Tamahome warned.
"Hey listen here comrade. Everything you see here is my turf. One nod from me and your business is finished in this city for good. What's it going to be pretty boy?" Baldy asked Tamahome. Struggling against my captor trying to get to my sister.
"About that girl," pointing at Miaka. "I heard them say that she is the priestess of Suzaku."
"Oh, is that so?" He looked back at her. "Let's make out a deal here kid. You know how the business works. We'll give you a fair deal and we'll buy the girls off you. How's thirty gold ryo sound?" Holding up a bag of money.
"Thirty gold ryo for them? Don't mess with me." Tamahome warned. "Forty for her and thirty for her so seventy for the both." We all dropped at his response. They argued over prices and I realized what he was doing. He was biding time until we attack. Miaka lowered her head in almost defeat.
"You too scared to look?" The man holding her asked. She twisted in his arms.
"No, I'm not scared. I'm pissed." She uppercut him sending him off balance. Now it was my turn. Stepping on my captor's foot sending him off balance then flipping him over my back. We fought the others as our signs activated. Then it started to rain.
"Alright I gave you a far chance. I'll cut her up, so no one gets her." Baldy pulled out his sword and headed right for Miaka. Tamahome got to her first getting a cut on his cheek.
A few men targeted me as I ducked under them using my knee to hit them in the place where the sun doesn't shine. Sending them to the ground. Miaka screamed but before I could help Tamahome threw a brick at the man holding her knocking him out. Then he finished off baldy.
"There are some possessions that must never be sold, for all the fortune in the world." He said to the unconscious man. He went over to Miaka "come on let's go." Offering her his hand when she hit it away.
"No get away!" Shouting at him. "What are you thinking? They will never let you do business here ever again. And you're bleeding. You could've gotten yourself killed. For what? Why do you care what happens to me?"
"Come one."
"Miaka calm down let's go back to the palace." Placing my hands on her shoulders to calm her down. She shrugged me off to upset to let me comfort her.
"Answer me!"
"It doesn't matter does it?"
"It does to me. It does matter because..."
"Miaka don't say it." Warning her.
"Because I love you Tamahome." Realizing that she said it out loud caused her to cover her mouth in embarrassment. Facepalming at her confession.
"Well sorry. I don't feel anything for you like that. I protect you because you are the priestess. Our savior. Let's go now. The emperor will be worried." He started walking away.
Miaka reached out to him but ended up passing out. "Miaka!" Shouting trying to catch her. Laying her in my lap feeling her head she had a bit of a fever.
"Oh no what happened?" Tamahome rushed back after hearing me call her name. "Are you alright? Miaka please."
"We have to get her back to the palace. She has a fever." Shouting at him. He nodded as he picked her up and the four of us rushed back to the palace.
A/N: Thanks for reading this story. Sorry for a late update. With work, classes, and the holidays, not to mention my birthday and being sick I really didn't have time to work on it. But I am going to try harder to get updates out as fast as I can. Thanks again for reading please leave a review. Until next time See ya.