Episode 10: A Trembling Truth

"OKASAN!! TASUKETE! "

The yell arises for the second time in the whole marketplace. Hikarou figures out where it comes from and quickly runs away, going through the crowd.

"Hikarou!" Min You tries to stop her but it's too late. She clenches both of her fists in annoyance, and also, stamps her left foot. She comically yanks off hair, frantically "Argh…!" The navy blue haired maid decides to chase her, hoping she would be able to catch up to the priestess.

Hikarou finally arrived at the end, after endless struggles going through and politely ask permissions on some people to pave way to see what's happening.

While she's hiding from the crowd, she discovers an angry middle-aged man, tightly gripping his hand on the little boy's wrist, making it sure he'll never escape. She thought the man could be a fish vendor since he's in front of a fish stall. Suddenly, a young boy, probably in his early teens, comes in to the intensified scene. He struggles to loosen the man's grip from the kid.

"Sir, please spare him! He doesn't know what he is doing!"

The boy is dressed in light-brown clothes, with hair tied in a single bun in the back. He pleads him to let the child go. Unfortunately, it seems he's a close-minded one. He glares and forcefully sweeps him away while still holding the child's wrist. The young boy ended up stumbled helplessly on the ground. Hikarou gets shocked, at the same time, fury arises in her eyes, but she restrains herself from doing anything and remains to be a spectator on the crowd.

"Onii-chan!" The little boy cried. The man gripped him again tightly and the boy winced in pain.

The boy barely sits up, recovering from the sudden stumble, "Xiao Long…" he weakly grunted. The vendor speaks in a haughty manner.

"Heh! Ya think I can be softened like that? You want him to be spared? Think again…" He rudely pulled and dragged the kid to the stall; sweeping all the raw fishes and making some fall on the ground, where the kid's head and chest ended up on the stall's table.

"This is really not good!" Hikarou thought… but then, the crowd is filled with fear and terror as the next scenes came. As the older boy tries to get up, the vendor knocks him over immediately. Then, he turns his attention to the child and strongly holds one of its wrists. The kid's eyes bulged out in fear as he sees him… holding a knife.

"I want your OWN HAND as payment, you filthy brat!" He raises his hand that's holding the knife and ready to strike. The boy closes his eyes in fright. Unexpectedly, a mysterious girl slowly comes out from the crowd and goes on the tensed scene. Min You, followed also by a mysterious blackish-blue haired woman, have reached the crowd's front. Then, hearsays take place.

"That girl is too brave to stand up and come there!" one woman said. "Is her life really important to her? Doesn't she know that man had the cruelest temper of all the vendors here in Sairo?"

"From the way she dresses, she looks like a foreigner… and I'm sure she'll never forgive herself deciding to meddle with that fish vendor. He sells the best fish here in the country, but he really has a very bad temper. If I were her, I would just stay and watch." Another man added. Worry fills in Min You's heart. She watches Hikarou from afar with an anxious look. She silently prays, "Saving others is a courageous thing to do, but if you make a wrong move, it'll be an end to you."

The fish vendor suddenly got his expression puzzled as he sees her coming over, slowly and step by step. He throws the knife on the wooden table on his stall, making it to stick in place. Luckily, he missed the boy's wrist, so it's still in tact. The small boy can't believe his eyes and hysterically ran towards his brother. Realizing she's already there, Hikarou stopped. She raised her head and slightly pushed up her kasa's rim using her other hand's index finger, just to show off her angelic face and bends down.

"Good day, sir! How much is this?" She mischievously asked while picking up one dirty fish on the ground. Min You splutters and smacks her forehead with her hand. She cannot control her temper anymore at this moment,

"WHAT ARE YA DOIN, YOU IDIOT! YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO MAKE A HEROIC SCENE, NOT BUYING SOME FRIGGIN' CHEAP—mff mff…"

She struggles to say more, not until someone covers her mouth. "Be quiet! You'll make everything worse! Maybe she has a plan to save those two boys' lives." A woman whispered at her as they quickly hide in the crowd. Meanwhile, the vicious fish vendor turned suddenly into a stern, monotone man as he comes close and bends down.

"Don't you notice that there's a heated scene here, Miss?" He annoyingly asked her with his arms folded.

She sighed and stands up, "Look sir, I came a long way down here. I heard from some people that you sell the best fishes in the country, yet you let them get spoiled easily?" She swayed the raw fish, back and forth in front of the man. Min You gets hysterically frightened and really anxious, on what her milady is doing. She looks the other way, and sees Hikarou giving her a glare of "I-know-what-I'm-doing-so-stay-put look". Long silence ruled, and then the man replied,

"It's because of that brat's fault!" He furiously points the kid. "I was just peacefully selling my fishes not until that brat popped in out of nowhere and began patting all my fish with his dirty hands. I spent countless nights with my men catching them, and LOOK! I don't have any income for this day… Now, I shall make them pay."

He turns back and sees the brothers, looking frightened as he glared at them. He goes closer at their direction filled with anger. Hikarou looks at him, disappointingly. She throws out the fish she's holding, wipes her hands on her skirt and gets her arms folded.

"But don't you think making a fuss in public like a madman is much worse than a crime of patting fishes with filthy hands? At least, you should called the palace guards and let them take it over, not putting justice in OWN your hands."

When the vendor suddenly hears it, he quickly diverts his angers from the boys to Ah Rou as he gets his knife stuck on the wooden board and slowly comes to her in anger. Min You shouts her name in fear but Hikarou stands still, with her eyes closed. As the vendors tries to threateningly swing it to her neck, she seriously speaks out suddenly as the edge of the knife is near on the side of her throat,

"You'll be sorry if you continue this, sir. Many people are watching. Maybe, just maybe… one of the palace guards are here observing secretly. You know what would you expect, sir?" She opened her eyes and sharply looks at him straight. All of a sudden, the vendor hesitates to do it and remains motionless on what Hikarou said to him. Min You suddenly fainted in relief while the crowd catches her.

"Go on… try it. I was planning to make a proposal." She replied softly but arrogantly. The vendor suddenly stopped. Hikarou gently pushes away the knife's edge blade from her. She took something from her bag and shows off a pure jade hairpin. All of the people are astounded.

"You can build a new stall with this." She leans him the pin in front of his eyes. "But since you offended me..."

She decides to break the pin in half. Her right holds the part with gems while on the left is the tip made of pure jade. She presents it to him the part of the former. The vendor can't believe he's seeing such real gems in his entire life. He temptingly tries to touch it but Hikarou suddenly moves her hand away. He shows off a comical expression of disappointment.

"But I'm still giving you the half part with jewels since I'm a kind person. In exchange, just tell me where I can find inns and release the boys. Forget anything what they've done to you, since it's a petty crime to put some big attention to it… Is it enough?"

The man nodded hysterically. He drags the boys to her and shows off his begging palm. She gives off a slight smile and hands him the pin quickly.

"There still some inns if you go further north, Miss." Then he calls his men, "Clear the area up! Pick up and wash them immediately! Give those fishes FREE." His men obeyed him, but before he goes away, he gives thanks to Hikarou and completely keeps him busy packing up and giving orders. The crowd slowly disperses. The marketplace that was once filled with tension has now become sober and returned to its normal state. She scratched off her temple and mumbled to herself,

"Phew… that was really close." Suddenly, someone whacked her strongly on the head. She gently caresses her swollen head. As she looked back, and sees a furious Min You, nearly crying.

"You daredevil! You nearly killed me there! What we're ya thinking huh?! Don't ever try to do that." Hikarou pats her head as she continues to wipe her tears off. "Sorry ne… I made you worry." She softly replied and sees also the blackish-blue haired woman come towards them. Then, the two boys suddenly rushed and embraced her.

"Okasan!" The two boys sobbed, as she both hugged them tightly. A single tear streak fell down from her cheeks. "My boys… Thank goodness, you're both safe."

The girls get somewhat shocked on what they had discovered. "They're you're sons, Ma'am?" the priestess asked. The woman just nodded and said,

"I thank you very much for saving their lives, especially when my youngest is being threatened to get his hand cut off."

"Yeah, you're so kakkoi right here, onee-chan! You really did give him this and that…" The younger boy, around seven years playfully demonstrates punches at her. They happily gazed at him, especially Hikarou, who has a weak spot on little kids. She considers them adorable and pats him on the head, smiling.

"How could we ever repay you, Miss?" The older boy asked her. As their eyes met, Hikarou sensed something strange on him. Her heartbeat pounds faster, around thrice and stared at him for a while. But, the boy called her attention and she regained herself back to reality.

"Miss?" He called. Hikarou gets closer and gently pats the boy's head. She bends over and said, "Nothing. Just do good deeds, that'll be enough." She takes the boy's hand and puts something on its open palm. She quickly closes it so that he'll have no idea on what did she gave to him. He looks at her with wonder, but the priestess replied with a smile that could take his breath away.

"Take this. It's my gift 'coz I admire on how you save your younger brother's life." He slightly blushes, then Min You buts in out of nowhere. "However, if you have a spare room in your… mff..mff…" Hikarou abruptly covers her mouth and apologizes, "Please spare her. She doesn't know what she's saying…"

"Okay…" He bows down politely and keeps the gift on his pocket. They bid goodbyes and prepares to leave. Until, the young boy runs after Hikarou and pulls her cape, trying to get her attention. She notices him and bends down. Then, he whispers something on her ear and she replies with a nod. Afterwards, he bids goodbye and joins his brother and mother and completely left. She stands up and does the same thing. While walking as they go along with the crowd, Min You asked her,

"Ne… xiao jie, what did you give to him?" Hikarou stopped a while and looks at Min You with a smirk,

"A present that would make his eyes pop out."

Her maid suddenly gets puzzled on what she meant. Meanwhile, on the other side of the crowd, the older boy decides to take out the present. It is wrapped in a plain brown cloth. He decides to unwrap it, and Hikarou's prediction came true… for he can't believe he's seeing and holding a real jade hair pin engraved with jewels.

Konan temporarily rejoiced as Gakuren Cho, one of the palace government officials, has completely regained memories of his past life as Chiriko of the Suzaku seven. Emperor Reiteizei ordered to give off a small, private celebration held at the imperial hall. It includes only selected nobles, the Emperor and his empress, Queen Mother, the remaining Suzaku warriors, and the Suzaku no Miko herself. This event least lessened the depression of the palace people about the sudden blindness of their priestess and the strange appearance of famine. The palace hall is filled with pleasant melodies as the imperial entertainers; mostly women performed their respective talents in dancing and playing musical instruments. Taka, Tasuki and Chiriko teamed up together to describe everything they see to Miaka, including the musicians and dancers' costumes. She gives off a gentle smile for their efforts.

"I'm relieved that Miaka-san is happy that Chiriko had already regained his past memories." Houki told her son, who sat beside her. The Emperor nodded back affirmatively. Empress Ri asked something,

"Majesty, are there any whereabouts on the locations of the other three reincarnated Suzaku warriors?" Emperor Reiteizei slightly bowed his head, "According to the reports, they haven't. Time flies fast and many changes had already happened in these past years. We're not sure if they're still in Konan."

"But I still could feel their chi, Majesty. They're still here in the country." Chichiri added. Queen Mother Youtaikou decides to join the conversation, "I've been wondering who might have caused the sudden famine here in the country. Do you have any speculations, Chichiri?"

The monk just shook his head. Emperor Reiteizei sighs, "We must find the remaining three as soon as possible. If we succeed, we could summon Suzaku and seek his divine power for help." Suddenly, a proud feminine voice echoed all over the imperial hall, making everyone stop from what they're doing.

"I don't think that vermilion bird can save your homeland from destruction." Then, a woman, dressed in a dark violet cape, with her hood down. She comes out hiding from one of the hall's pillars. Tasuki prepares to fight the mysterious intruder. Taka tries to join them but the monk warned him. He told him stay put together with Chiriko, and protect Miaka and the others.

"I didn't come here to pick a fight, Suzaku seven." Tasuki butted in suddenly.

"Cut the shittin' speech and fight, you wench!" The mountain swings his tessen. "LEKKA SHIEN!!" Flames start to appear and quickly go towards to the direction of the mysterious lady. Tasuki seems pretty confident that he could defeat her in one fatal blow, but he must think again.

In a matter of seconds, the flames go nearer to her direction. But she confidently stands still and smirks. "A hot-headed dumb old oaf… Interesting…" she quietly gets something from her sleeve. Chichiri sensed a strong chi and immediately warns Tasuki. "BE CAREFUL WITH HER, NO DA!" Tasuki wonders on his friend's warning. As he diverts his attention to the lady, he sees her strongly throws something on the air, directly to his direction. "A card?" he thought. The lady starts to chant an incantation,

"Ace of swords, unleash!"

The mysterious card suddenly turns into a light beam silhouette and slowly forms in a shape of a single-edged real sword floating in the air. It rapidly cuts the flame in half. Everyone gets shocked, but they're more frightened on what will happen to Tasuki. She adds another incantation abruptly,

"Fatal punishment shall therefore beseech!"

She directly points her forefinger precisely to Tasuki's heart. The sword swiftly approaches to the bandit without wasting any second. He just watched in horror that it might be the end of his life. Fortunately with Taka's quick thinking, he saves him on time as he ran and knocked him on the ground, including himself, resulted to elude the attack few feet away. The sword was left struck down on the floor.

"Taka! Tasuki!" Miaka yelled in fright, anxious on their condition. Chiriko calms her down and stops her from coming forward. "They're alright, Miaka-san. No need to worry."

The mysterious lady makes a return hand gesture. The sword moved by itself from being stuck on the ground and floated in the air. It changes back into a light beam again and swiftly goes back to the direction of the lady. She opened her palm and it turns back into a card, Ace of Swords in a reversed form. She quickly puts it back on her sleeve and gets her hood down, showing off her orange-yellowish hair and pink amethyst colored eyes.

"Is this how you welcome a visitor, Suzaku seven?" She unpleasantly snarled. "I didn't expect that your conduct have gone six feet under." Tasuki pushes Taka away and stands up in an irritated manner.

"I don't give a damn on who are ya, brat! Just get outta here and SCRAM!" He tries to do another LEKKA SHIEN but Taka tries to stop him using his tessen. "Are you gonna commit suicide, Tasuki?! Don't you see that she's much powerful than you are?!" He angrily struggles.

"I admit I'm a freakin' old-aged man but I can't accept to get beaten by a youngster wench!"

"Well, at least consider your life important to you!"

"I'm not like ya, Obake-chan, eating your whole pride like a weakling!"

"Weakling!? WHO'RE YOU CALLING THAT, PUNK!"

The two comically fights and struggles either the tessen will be used or not, leaving everyone sweatdropping. "This is no time for that, no da." Chichiri sighed in disappointment. The lady seems a bit annoyed on their actions.

"Lighting… Beseech!" She throws the "Tower Card" coming from her sleeve directly on where Taka and Tasuki are fighting. It suddenly changes into a speedy lighting bolt. They comically screamed in fright. Luckily, Chichiri used his powers to shield them. The blot diverts its attack as it was block by the barrier that the monk created. The beam quickly returns back to its owner and changes into a card titled "The Tower" in an upright position. She smirked as she puts back her card, next her hood up.

"The monk is quite impressive on his attacks. You gained my respect, sir." She gives a deadly glare on Taka and Tasuki, "Please tell your comrades to give at least respect to odd-looking strangers like me. I came here with no harmful intentions, Suzaku seven and to you too, Suzaku no Miko. I come here to warn you all."

"We wouldn't attack you if you didn't mff… mff…" Tasuki struggles to say more but Taka successfully covers his mouth. Chichiri takes off his mask and decides to negotiate with her, "Your powers are quite extraordinary… are you a celestial warrior too?"

She takes a few steps forward with her arms folded, "I may be one of you, but I'm not a part of the protectors of the Four Gods." Chichiri and the others seem puzzled.

"Even you try to locate the other reincarnated warriors and summon Suzaku, you still can't save Konan from famine nor cure your priestess' blindness. His powers aren't enough to defeat this recent enemy…"

"What do you mean?" Reiteizei asked her as the signaled the palace guards to stop to seize the lovely stranger.

"The destruction that the four corner kingdoms are now facing is controlled by the release of an evil beyond your expectations. The destined deity to save this world has proved her existence. Her story, us, and her miko aren't now a mere PLAIN FICTION, but an ABSOLUTE FACT!" Chiriko's lips trembled.

"You don't refer to Nu Kwa and Seimitsu'… They're just mythical characters about China's creation!" Her amethyst-eyes flared in anger but she restrains herself.

"Think again… sometimes stories can turn into reality… Suzaku Celestial Warrior, Oh Dokun, or should I say…Chiriko!" His eyes widen with surprise. "How… how did you know?" The mysterious lady smirked,

"I'm a fortuneteller, it's my right. Besides, I'm also a warrior just like you … in the service of protecting the greatest miko ever called down upon!" She throws an unknown card on the ground and slowly fades away.

"She's disappearing!" Youtaikou shouted.

"By the way, just beware of the lethal and betrayer mists spreading inside the palace. Oh, one last reminder… I find her just exactly like you, Suzaku no Miko." Then, she completely disappears. Taka comes closer and picks up the blank card, and the image slowly revealed itself on an upright position.

"High Priestess?" He uttered to himself. The others pondered deeply on the mysterious woman's last words... especially to Miaka. She puts her hand on her chest and touches it.

"Who is the girl that the mysterious woman pertaining to… who is she?"

Hikarou looks from afar as she sensed something familiar. She can't realize it but she knows it's a powerful force.

"Xiao Jie!" Min You shouts to call her attention. She stops staring blankly at the sky and joins her friend walking across the busy streets. Hikarou and Min You haven't got an inn to stay. As they headed north, they found out that all inns have already been occupied. They decided to go back and go straight to nearby woods to spend the night. As they wandered on the busy streets of Sairou's marketplace, Min You gives off a desperate sigh.

"What luck, we're gonna end up sleeping in the grass… with swarming of those itchy mosquitoes…" She pouts with her arms folded. Hikarou feels sorry for her. She knows that spent her life living in the palace and she's not get used to the common life for a long time. Unlike Min You, she spent almost her early teens at the province to keep away from the stress caused by the city. Due to that, she becomes outdated from what's new in Tokyo when she decides to go back to finish her high school. She often gets teased by her friends and classmates about her traditional views in life, but she didn't get affected. Nothing can influence her beliefs as long she knows it is right.

"I'm sorry… I dragged you all the way here knowing that you're not used in the common life." Hikarou apologized.

Min You suddenly reacted.

"That's not true! Misfortunes always go around and around, we can't help it! It's part of fate, xiao jie! Don't worry, 'coz this palace maid can easily adapt spending the night in the wild!" She proudly taps her chest. Hikarou arched a brow, gesturing that she doubts on what she'd said. "I'm dead serious, xiao jie… Believe me."

The priestess replied with a relieved sigh. "Sometimes I made the right decision of bringing her all along," she thought.They resumed walking while having some chit-chats to ease boredom.

"Why did you decided to call me 'Xiao Jie', rather than my first name or calling me 'Rou-jie-jie'?"

"First, I find it awkward if I call you 'Rou-jie-jie'. It doesn't fit for me calling you like that. If I call you on your first name, people would think that I don't have respect on my elders, so I decided to call you 'Xiao Jie' due to formalities." She whispers something on Rou's ear.

"And also because I respect you a LOT… REALLY." Hikarou smiles back but she recalled something from her subconscious. A voice suddenly echoes on her head and vivid images of the scene where the young boy she helped that morning whispered something on her ear.

"Our house had the tallest leafy tree in the city, where you could clearly see the people when you sit on one of its branches. Just beware of the old man with a pipe that sits on there occasionally."

She quickly turns around and runs away, leaving Min You behind wondering why she left her all of the sudden. "Ei! Wait up, Xiao Jie!" She yells as she chases her from behind.

Hikarou tries to find where the exact location of the house that the boy told her that morning. Unfortunately, there are so many houses and the boy's description of their house is a bit general. Realizing that she had already ran far enough, she bends over, touching her knees and pants. As she looks up, she saw someone familiar. She sees there an old man, with white beard and wearing gold, circular earrings and typically smoking by that time. She suddenly recalls a warning on her mind,

"Just beware of the old man with a pipe that sits on there occasionally"

On the same time, the sheepish old man accidentally sees her as he blows off the smoke coming from his pipe. The old man shows a perverted smile and Hikarou gives off a scared look. He stops smoking and happily jumps off from the tree branch, giving a chance to himself to hug her.

"HI CUTIE!!" He happily said as he opened his arms wide and falls from in slow mode version.

Hikarou quickly bends down and hugs her knees. She shields herself by making her arms do an "x" gesture. Just before the old lecherous man can successfully lay his malicious hands on her, a flying stick knocked him down all of the sudden coming out from nowhere.

"AGH!" The old letch strongly went down on the ground unconscious.

Hikarou tries to take a peek and sees him unconscious. She turns her head the other way around as she heard footsteps. It appears that it was the older boy she helped this morning.

He ran towards her, "Did he attempt to hurt you?" he asked. Her mind went blank as she looks again at the old man.

Unexpectedly, he quickly gets conscious again and sees Hikarou. He attempts to hug her. The boy quickly embraces the priestess to shield her off from him, until something hard knocked the old man's head down from behind. As he fell down sideways, Min You suddenly appears out of nowhere, holding her dagger upside down.

"Sheesh, could this old idiot have some shame on his age?" She seriously responds as she playfully spins her dagger. She walks over, not minding to step onto the fainted man. She quickly approaches Hikarou.

"Xiao Jie, are you alright? I just knocked him down using my dagger's hilt, so he's just unconscious. Good thing I came on time."

"Anou, that boy was here first to save me…" She slowly points the boy whose busy reviving the passed out old man. He tries to shake off his shoulders frantically. The priestess suddenly heard other running footsteps. Hikarou turns around and sees the younger boy she helped this morning, rushing to his brother and helps him reviving the old man.

"Are they related to each other…?" She thought.

An old woman carrying a small bronze basin with water goes out from a certain room. She sees Hikarou, Min You and the two boys sitting at the wooden balcony railings, as if they're waiting for her. She decides to approach them immediately. The older boy asks first,

"How is he, grandma?"

"Your grandfather is alright. The hit isn't that severe, but it created a small bump behind his head. Let's just leave him to rest." She turns away but Min You gently holds onto her sleeve, with her head bowed down.

"Anou… Ma'am, I'm sorry. I didn't intend to hurt your husband. I was just trying to protect my mistress from danger. I'm really sorry…" She comically sobs. Hikarou gently leaps off from the balcony and joins Min You.

"As her mistress, it's my duty too to ask for your forgiveness on my maid's sudden, impulsive … and quite disrespectful actions towards your husband. Please accept our humble apology." Hikarou bowed down thrice. Min You went a bit shocked, but decides to imitate her friend's actions.

The old woman suddenly gets bowled over their actions and tries to make them stand up, "Hush and stand up, girls! I don't need apologies; rather I should be thanking you for what you did. HE DESERVES IT." They immediately stood up and their eyes went in wonder and exchanged looks.

"Gramps ish a slight pervert. Mom and grandma couldn't control his actions. Good thing this ol' lady here did some lessons on gramps." The youngest proudly added.

Min You gets a bit pissed off and replies back angrily, "Who're you calling old lady, squirt?!"

The kid tosses his head away and mockingly says, "I didn't drop a' name, why are ya reacting like that?" As he sticks out his tongue, Min You's blood boils up and comically chokes him. Well, the kid fights back by doing also the same thing and they end up brawling at each other. Everyone sweatdropped…especially Hikarou.

"I'm really sorry for her actions, Ma'am." Hikarou replied weakly. The old woman just smiled back.

"My daughter told me about how you save my two grandsons from the hands of that wicked vendor. My eldest grandson told me that you gave him a real jade hairpin as a reward for his bravery. I want to thank and repay your kindness, Miss."

Hikarou humbly replied, "Oh no, Ma'am. It's alright. Seeing them in good shape is enough for repayment in my case."

The elder boy added, "But I heard both of you two don't have any place to stay for the night. Actually, mom's busy tidying up one vacant room on the west part of the manor. I hope you won't refuse my kindness this time, xiao jie."

The priestess goes silent for a while and gives off a slight smile. "Looks like I'm cornered and I don't have a choice."

The eldest recalls something. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself, xiao jie." He introduces his grandmother first and the rest.

"This is my grandmother, Subaru. My mother is Xi Fang. My younger brother is Xiao Long." He points him, and still fighting with Min You. He sighs as he continues, "And my gramps' name is Tokaki."

"Oh… Well, the girl over there is my maid, Min You and I'm Hikarou, a traveling…"

As Min You hears it, she leaves Xiao Long, quickly stands beside her and frantically says, "She's not a traveler! She's a…mi… mff mff!" Before she could say anything, the priestess successfully covers her mouth. Her struggles to take it off but it looks like Hikarou is stronger than she thought.

"Mirchant… I mean merchant. I'm a traveling lady merchant." She comically chuckles while trying to keep her maid's mouth shut. Subaru and her grandsons exchanged looks.

"Oh… that's a wonderful profession, Hikarou." Subaru complimented. Min You finally takes off Hikarou's hand from her mouth and bellows.

"Call her with a…" Before she could continue to say anything and unknown to her, Hikarou suddenly stamps her maid's foot with an impact. Min You comically jumps out frantically and cries in pain. The three of them arched a brow while looking at Min You while Hikarou just only sweatdropped for the second time.

"She's kind of a bit weird on her actions and acts a bit awkward, but she's a nice kid. Oh, by the way, how did you know that I'm heading here?" Hikarou looked at Subaru's eldest grandson.

He replied with a wide smile, "My instincts told me so… Lastly, I'm Qi Pao, but I preferred to be called Hatari. Nice meeting you, Hikarou xiao jie." He extends his hand, and Hikarou does the same thing with a smile and they shake hands.

Later that night, while waiting to get her eyes to drift off to dream land, Hikarou gets a pillow bash from Min You who is at the opposite bed, sitting on top in an Indian sit pose, giving off a pouted face.

"You're so bad this afternoon. I'm still wondering why you have to cover up my mouth and stomp my foot unexpectedly." Hikarou picks out the pillow from her face and puts it behind her head.

"I have my own reasons," She replied sternly. She decides to get up, goes to Min You's bed and sits in front of her. Her friend gave off a questioned look.

"Stretch out your leg and put your foot on my lap."

Min You does what she's been told to do and the priestess starts to massage it. The maid gets surprised. As she tries to stop her from doing it, Hikarou finally speaks out while massaging her friend's foot.

"Like what I've told you before, I insist not to be treated with royalty. I just agreed for you to call me Xiao Jie as your sign of respect towards me." She looks closely at Min You's foot that she injured intentionally this afternoon. Her purple eyes are now full of mixed feelings of guilt and pity. She sighs and continues to massage it more.

"You blab too much that's why I decide my actions to go beyond the belt. I didn't really mean to do it… I'm sorry…"

Min You feels the sincerity of her words and feels sorry for her. Her heart softens and also, her anger disappears as she gazes at her. Such an angelic face blessed with kind, sincere eyes that could really melt your heart away. She finally stops massaging it.

"Is your foot okay now? No aching at all?"

Min You nods and smiles. Hikarou gets delighted on what she heard and returns back to her bed. As both of them lied down on their own beds and waiting for who'll doze off first, Min You said as she stares at the ceiling.

"Xiao jie…?"

"Yeah?"

"You know… your hands are warm. While you're rubbing my foot, I could feel its caring touch. Its touch is enough to ease the pain of anything."

Hikarou chuckles for her reply.

"You're such a flatterer, aren't you? During my childhood days, I voluntarily gave my mom massages whenever she her body aches. You could say I'm nice, but for myself, I don't agree to it. I'm still imperfect and needs some improvement." She humbly giggles back. Min You just smiled at herself, realizing that she's a very nice and colorful person.

"Ne… Xiao Jie, why do we have to hide our real identities from them? I mean… keep your identity as the Houseiki no Miko?." She asked her in a serious tone.

Hikarou stares at the ceiling for a while and slowly gets up, sitting on her bed and says in a more firm tone of voice.

"Sometimes, being too honest could get you in mess one day."

Some Vocabulary Guidelines:

Kakkoi – japanese for cool

Xiao jie – mandarin for miss

Qi – mandarin for sand or gravel

Pao – mandarin for bottle gourd

Oaf – dimwit

Jie-jie – means elder sis in mandarin.

Place Guidelines:

Sairou – This is the place where Byakko serves as the Guardian beast god of the West.