Discussion

Alora, Darla, and Tamahome found themselves in an open room that alone was the size of an average house in Darla's neighborhood. There were great pillars evenly spaced out around the room's edges, and the windows were draped with heavy red curtains, pulled back to allow sunlight to bathe the chamber in a warm glow. In the midst of the floor stood a table surrounded by eight chairs, each piece carved straight from stone. The chair at one end had a taller back than the others, and was covered with a soft red fabric. The Emperor seated himself in this chair, while Darla sat to his right and Alora to his left. Tamahome hovered and paced behind Darla's chair, seeming unwilling to take a seat.

Hotohori smiled broadly, and reached out to once again take the girls' hands into his own.

"So," he began, "which of you is our Priestess?"

Darla and Alora looked at each other across the table, worry lancing through their shared gaze.

Alora shrugged and tugged her hand out of Hotohori's, then leaned back in her seat and folded her arms across her chest. "You like talking Darla. Go ahead."

Darla narrowed her eyes at her friend, then took a deep breath and turned to their host. "Your Highness-"

"Call me Hotohori."

The blonde nodded, a smile touching her lips. "Hotohori. The story I have to tell you…will be hard to believe. If I could reassure you of the truth of my words in a more tangible way, I would. But for now, I beg that you have faith. Can I ask that much of you?" In all honesty, Darla was terrified. Aside from their clothing, the girls had no proof that they were from a different place, let alone a different time. She knew that lying to the Suzaku Warriors could have devastating effects, and that wasn't a path she wanted to tread. No, the truth was definitely best. Tamahome and Hotohori would believe them…they had to.

At the Emperor's nod, Darla began their story. She edited the details as best she could on the fly, and changed only what was necessary to help Hotohori and Tamahome understand. For example, the TV show became a book. The only things Darla did not include were Nuriko's true gender – that was something she didn't feel was her right to divulge – and the romance that swept up the two men she spoke to now. It was tricky hiding that part and still explaining Yui's jealousy, but she managed. Being the one that was good with details helped sometimes. Darla even explained how in her world they were characters in a book, though, as she knew it wouldn't, this detail did not go over well.

Tamahome grabbed the back of Darla's chair and whipped it around, leaving gouge marks in the wooden floorboards. "What do you mean we're characters in a book? Are you saying we're part of someone's imagination?" Hotohori looked disturbed as well, yet he managed to maintain his composure. Only his hands clenching into fists revealed his true emotions.

Darla reached out without thinking and grabbed Tamahome's hand. "No! I don't believe you are imaginary."

"Then what do you believe we are?" Hotohori finally spoke. Darla released Tamahome's hand and looked to the Emperor. His hazel eyes seemed to capture hers…and they seemed to plead with her, to beg her to promise that he was a real man.

Darla smiled, and hoped she gave off a confident vibe as she explained. "I believe you are all real, and that this place is not an imaginary world, but actually Ancient China. I believe the book was created as a portal to bring a Priestess here as often as your lands need one." She looked to Alora who nodded her agreement.

Tamahome took that pause to finally sit down – although he sat right on the table, and not in a chair. "So explain this Miaka person again. You're saying she came here, and she was the Priestess? Then how come we don't remember her?"

Darla opened her mouth, but no sound came out as she found herself at a loss for words. Luckily, Alora was a few steps ahead. "I think Miaka and Yui were the fictional characters. I think someone knew of the real book, the portal that we found, and turned it into a story for profit. So, basically, everything Darla told you about Miaka and Yui never actually happened – that was all imaginary. But the two of you and this land are definitely real. It's just the past – at least it is to us."

Tamahome slunk off the table and slipped into a chair while rubbing his hand down his face exasperatedly. "So, okay. I guess now we need to decide what to do with this information."

Alora uncrossed her arms and leaned forward. "What do you mean?"

"I mean," he began, "we need to decide how much we actually care about what we've learned."

Hotohori shook his head. "We don't care. I agree with Alora – the Priestess she and Darla know about never existed. Therefore, we cannot worry about her. Right now we need help from the Priestess who does exist." He looked up at both girls and clasped his hands together. "Which of you is our Priestess of Suzaku?"

Alora simply shrugged while nervously tugging at her hair. Darla locked eyes with Hotohori, and found she couldn't keep anything from him. With a heavy sigh, she cast her eyes down at the floor and laid her burden before him.

"Hotohori…we don't know if either one of us even is the Priestess of Suzaku. We aren't…well…we just don't know."

At that she fell silent, and looked at her friend who simply shrugged again, before looking down again. Hotohori didn't move, but Tamahome wiped his hand on his face again and shook his head. He sighed, then slapped his hand on the table. "Well, I was wondering when this would come to pass."

Alora turned her head sharply to face him. "What do you mean?"

Tamahome reached up and brushed his bangs out of the way. Very lightly, those at the table could see the red mark of the ogre shimmering on his skin. "I've always known who I am, and what my purpose is. I guess that's the reason I was drawn to help you both out." He sighed and leaned his head back over the chair. "Awe man I really didn't want a full-time job!"

Darla couldn't help but laugh at what she now knew was false exasperation. Tamahome had listened intently to her story, and basically just announced that he would stay. Curious, she turned to look at the emperor who had yet to comment on her confession. Darla found herself captured by his hazel eyes, so sharp and focused. She wasn't expecting it when he blinked a few times rapidly, and moved his hand to cup her cheek. His thumb lightly brushed over her cheekbone. Green eyes and hazel seemed locked together for a moment immeasurable before the Emperor removed his hand from her skin and pulled his own long brown hair away from his neck. There on the side of his throat, was the star symbol glowing faintly red.

"I, too, have always known who I am" he murmured, "though you two know not yet who you are."

At this, Alora and Darla turned to look at each other, before turning again to Hotohori who stood up abruptly.

"You say the Creator resides at Mount Taikyoku, and that we may find another warrior on the way there. I say we go, and ask the Creator which of you is our Priestess. That is most important right now. Will you accompany us, Tamahome? I would rather go without a guard."

Darla turned slowly to the man who had rescued her, anticipating and dreading his answer. What if he says no? What if he doesn't want to travel with me? Wait that's not important dammit!

She found Tamahome staring at Hotohori.

Why did my pulse begin to race when he touched her? he thought. I don't even know her… Tamahome looked down at Darla, and found her looking up at him. Something clenched in his gut,

and he knew the decision was made. Wherever Darla went, he would follow.

"I will go."