Author's note: So sorry for the late update. I was busy with something else. This always happens in July. Review ;)

Warnings/Disclaimer: The usual.

Chapter 2

I beg your pardon?

"Ow!"

"Ugh!"

"Hey, Mayumi! Are you okay?! Are you still alive?! Where are you? Oh my God! Are you dead?! What am I supposed to say to your family and fiancé? Especially your fiancé! He's gonna kill me! I don't wanna die yet!"

"Calm down, Akina. Yes, I'm okay. Yes, I'm still alive. I'm right behind you. No, I'm not dead. Why are you asking me that question? Even I don't know the answer to that."

"Oh…Hehehe…Sorry. I panicked and…Yeah…"

Akina sheepishly smiled while rubbing her nape and Mayumi just smiled slightly at her friend's antics. The latter looked around and saw that they were in a forest. She looked up and judging by the position of the sun, it was probably noon. Probably. She did not know how to estimate time by looking at the sun.

"So, Mayumi, where do you think we are?"

"I don't know. It's clear that we're in a forest but I can't pinpoint our exact location and the time."

Akina gasped and started to talk excitedly.

"Hey! Hey! Do you think we're in a parallel world and they need our help?! That's why they called us here! Or maybe we time-travelled to the past?! Kyahh! This is very exciting!"

"First, you watched way too many animes and read way too many fiction books. Second, even if you're right about your first theory, how are we supposed to help them? We don't know the first thing about war. Third, if we did time-travelled to the past, it would be best not to change history."

"Because the future will be changed and all that we know will cease to exist, right?"

"That and because it's a bother to re-learn everything."

Akina looked at her best friend skeptically. Mayumi looked at her with an annoyed face and said, "What?" Akina grinned and replied, "Never thought I'd hear the polite and hard-working student say that. What changed?"

"Nothing. Like I said, it's a bother to re-learn everything."

Suddenly, they heard the rustling of leaves and they quickly hid in case it was a criminal or a wild animal. Well, Mayumi hid behind a thick bush along with their school bags and a small brown satchel that her best friend had been bringing along since school started while Akina climbed a tree and set herself on a sturdy branch to spy on the intruder. What they saw next was surprising to say the least.

Someone, who they assumed immediately as a villager, came out while carrying a big, for the lack of a better term, bag that looked like it was made from woods and rattans. He was wearing a simple grey kimono that most commoners wear in the historical Japanese drama they often watched together. Mayumi started to feel dread while Akina was floating in cloud nine at the prospect of being in the past.

The villager, not noticing the two adolescent, continued his way to his village while whistling merrily. After the stranger was gone, Akina climbed down and went to her stupefied best friend. She grinned happily and it seemed to snap Mayumi to her senses. Seeing her friend grin, Mayumi scowled and said, "Fine! I admit that you're right. We're trapped in the past with no way of knowing how or when we can get home. Satisfied?"

"Don't sound so pessimistic, Mayu-chan~ I'm sure we'll find a way somehow. Meanwhile, just think of this as a vacation and we can just go sight-seeing."

Akina hugged her friend and nuzzled her nose on her friend's cheek like a cat. The latter sighed and nodded. She was used to her friend's sudden whims anyway. But then, she remembered something important.

"Akina, how on earth are we going 'sight-seeing' when it's obvious that our clothes are not from this time?"

Her friend grinned and Mayumi had the sudden urge to run away. Far away where her friend would not be able to find her. Akina grabbed the satchel that she brought along and opened it. Inside it were four kimonos complete with matching hairpins, sashes or otherwise known as obi, Japanese sandals (zori), socks (tabi) and haoris. Mayumi looked at her friend incredulously and said, "Do I even want to know why you're bringing four silk kimonos fit for a noble lady to school?"

Akina said, "Actually, my aunt-you know, that famous designer-she gave them to me and told me to give two of them to you as well. Just pick two of them, will you?" Mayumi scanned her choices and in the end, she picked two kimonos that she thought would compliment her nicely along with its accessories. Akina looked at her choices with approving eyes and said, "Nice choice." Akina took back the other two kimonos and stored one with its accessories inside the satchel back while the other one was for her to wear.

One of the kimonos that Mayumi chose was a very beautiful silk kimono filled with dazzling green patterns and grapevines motifs with red leaves as its background. The obi was long, blue brocade with silver threads embroidery. The other was a cool blue colour with swirls and lines of whitish yellow that seemed to represent a river. Silver trout fishes looked like they swam in the river and ripples of gold showed where embroideries of soft green leaves touched the surface of the water. The obi was a pale green with hints of yellow.

Meanwhile, Akina's kimonos were pink and green. The pink kimono was decorated with white flowers as if they were patched not embroidered to it. The obi was orange and yellow in colour. The other kimono was filled with embroidery of grapevines from its sleeves to its waistline. From beneath the waistline, the leaves and vines that convoluted intricately started to wither and turned to yellowish colour, like it was autumn. All in all, all four kimonos were undeniably beautiful pieces of artwork.

They started to change out of their school uniforms and into the kimono, taking turns to help the other to tie the obi. Mayumi wore the green kimono that brought out the colour of her eyes and her hair was decorated with a hairpin that had several small pink flowers dangling from one end. Akina was wearing a green kimono as well. As Akina's hair was short, she did not wear any hairpins and did not want to anyway. They wore dark grey haoris and Akina wore the tabi with pale green zori while her friend wore hers with vibrant green, lacquered zori.

When they were satisfied with their appearances, they neatly folded their uniforms, socks and indoor shoes and put them inside their school bag. They started to walk at the same direction as the villager and were greeted with the sight of a bustling town. Even Mayumi could not contain her excitement to explore their new surroundings and soon, their slow pace turned to a brisk walk. When they arrived, everyone started to look at them as if they were really nobles. Some even bowed their heads! Mayumi looked uncomfortable while her companion just laughed it off.

They walked around town and looked at everything with fascinated eyes, completely ignoring the hushed whispers and awed looks. Soon, both of them felt hungry and Mayumi was mentally banging her head against a wall. How were they supposed to pay for food? Again, her friend grinned and this time, Mayumi was curious and hungry enough not to comment anything. Akina took out a small bag from her satchel and saw that it was filled with pure gold coins.

"Did you rob someone earlier and I was not aware of it?"

"Of course not, silly. I brought it along with the kimonos."

"Why, pray tell, would you need to bring gold coins to school?"

"You never know when you will need it. And it looks like I'm right. So, where are we going to eat?"

The brunette sighed and looked around for a decent restaurant. She saw a quaint tea house at the corner of the main street and pointed at it. "Let's eat there. It looks decent enough." She was replied with a "Sure.".

They entered the tea house and were greeted warmly by its owner. The owner served green teas to them and Mayumi ordered some dangos while Akina wanted some maiubos. They were seated upstairs where there were no walls to block the view outside. When their orders arrived, Mayumi nibbled on her dangos while looking at the small pond outside the establishment.

There were only a few customers so it was not noisy. Akina was eating and seemed to prefer silence over chatter this time. Mayumi thanked whatever deities up there for the small mercies. It was calm and serene to the point someone could fall asleep if they wanted to. In fact, she almost fell asleep if it were not for the sudden commotion.

Soldiers suddenly surrounded the whole place and scared everyone away. Only the both of them and the owner, Shizune, were left. Along with some soldiers, of course, and said soldiers were currently encircling both of the time-travelers protectively, as if they were shielding the girls from harm. They parted like red sea and a dapper blonde man that gave off an airy presence wearing clothes that fit a royalty ambled towards them. Behind him was a black-haired man wearing an elegant blue kimono.

The soldiers and Shizune knelt down on their knees and bowed to the blonde with a gold kimono. They chorused, "Your Imperial Majesty." The blonde gestured for them to get back on their feet and they did so. Shizune glanced at the still shocked girls warily, wondering if they had done something to anger the Emperor. The blonde then went in front of Mayumi, knelt down on one knee and put one hand on her chin to lift her head, inspecting her. He smiled as if he found what he was searching for and spared a casual glance towards Akina.

"So, it is true. The rumour of a woman with great beauty that decided to grace our land with her ethereal elegance, bringing along her otherworldly companion. Tell me, fair maiden, what is your name?"

That sentence snapped the girls out of their stupor and Mayumi replied him shakily. "M-My name is Nanahara Mayumi…" After a short pause, she added "Your Imperial Majesty." The Emperor laughed, his voice so silky and velvety that Mayumi felt like she was wrapped with them. His hand that was on Mayumi's chin was now on her cheek, caressing it with such tenderness that Mayumi could not help but blushed lightly.

"You don't have to address me as such, my lady. Ahh…Would you mind if I address you with your first name?" Seeing Mayumi shook her head, he continued, "My name is Namikaze Minato. You may call me Minato, Mayumi."

Their eyes widened at the name of the fourth Emperor of Japan. We travelled that far back?! Oh, Kami-sama…

"But…"

"No buts."

"A-Alright then…Mi-Minato."

Minato gave her an endearing smile and Mayumi had to look away to avoid being charmed by it. Minato looked at Akina and asked, "And who is your companion, Mayumi?" "She is my best friend, Kasugano Akina. We're uhh…'travelling' together." Mayumi looked up at Minato shyly and continued, "M-Minato, why did you come here?" Minato's smile widened and he dropped the bomb.

"Like I said, I heard a rumour and merely wished to confirm it with my own eyes."

"But?" Mayumi pressed on.

Minato took both of her hands in his and kissed them lightly, causing the blush to come back with full force. He looked at her with a loving expression on his face and said, "But, it seems that the woman, no, Goddess has captured my heart instead. Will you be my Empress, Mayumi?"

Mayumi and Akina were shocked. They certainly did not expect for this to happen. Now, the future would be in precarious situation and it was all because they stupidly decided to walk around the town. Mayumi glanced at Akina discreetly and saw the latter telling her with her body language to say no. Mayumi looked back at the expectant Minato and said slowly, "I am sorry, Minato, but I cannot be your Empress."

The Emperor frowned. "But why, love?" Mayumi flinched at the term of endearment and said, "Aside from the fact that we have just met, I am already betrothed to someone." Minato's blue eyes darkened with jealousy and rage, causing all of the people present to think we're doomed. Minato took a deep breath and said in a clipped voice, "I see. And who is this…fiancé of yours?"

"I do not know, Minato. I only knew about the engagement this morning and decided to give our engagement a chance to bloom."

"Please cancel the engagement. We may have just met but I really, really love you, Mayumi. Please be my Empress and stay by my side forever."

Mayumi wanted to refuse. God knows how much she wanted to but seeing the blonde pleading with such sad look on his face made her resolve faltered. The rest of the people looked away from the scene as they felt like they were intruding on the couple's private moment. Again, she looked at her friend but Akina was currently having a staring contest with a pillar.

Mayumi bit her lower lip and it took all of Minato's self-restraint not to kiss her senselessly. She finally looked at the Emperor again and acquiesced, "I cannot promise you to be your Empress, Minato, as I was promised to someone else first and I do not have any romantic feelings towards you. But, if you managed to win my heart during my short stay here, I will cancel my engagement and tell my fiancé the truth." I don't know what will happen but this is the best solution for now. She thought.

Still, looking at Minato's smile that seemed to outshine the sun made Mayumi thought that she made the right choice and she had to smile at the obviously happy blonde. Minato stood up abruptly, causing the latter to stand up as well, and said, "Let us go then, love. To our home."

"I beg your pardon?"

"I said, let us go to the Imperial Palace together. You are my future wife so it is only natural that you live in the inner palace where it is the safest."

"W-Wait! I haven't agreed to marry you yet! How did you fall in love with me that fast, anyway?! We just met like, five minutes ago!" Screw politeness! How am I supposed to get myself out of this?!

Minato just beamed at her and continued to drag her. "You will fall in love with me soon. When you do, I know you will agree to marry me and when that happens, our wedding will be the biggest and most grand wedding in history. I saw you at the town square earlier and instantly fell in love with you. That is why I ordered my soldiers to follow you so that we can talk without any interruptions."

"B-But, I can't just leave my best friend! We're friends since birth and practically consider each other as sisters."

"She can come with us then. She can be your maid."

"I don't want her to become a slave. If she becomes a slave, then I will be one too."

"She can be your companion in the palace then. She does not have to do anything, just stay by your side."

Minato signaled the black-haired man and the latter nodded. He turned towards Akina and said, "Please follow us, Lady Kasugano." Akina nodded stiffly and Mayumi immediately hugged her friend tightly, as if she would disappear without any notice. At least, that was what everyone thought. Akina translated the hug as "If I'm going down, then I'm bringing you with me. This is your fault in the first place. Sight-seeing, my ass!"

Akina sighed but said nothing. The Emperor smiled and finally introduced the black-haired man. "This is my Prime Minister, Nara Shikaku. If there is anything you need, anything at all, please do not hesitate to tell him or you can tell me directly." The two girls nodded and Minato turned towards Akina.

"Lady Kasugano, I hope you will keep my beloved accompanied all the time. As you are her precious friend, she will be sad if you leave." Translation: I'm ordering you to stay by her side all the time or else.

As all of them went inside the carriage and rode to the Imperial Palace, both girls only had one thought.

We are definitely, absolutely, without a shred of doubt, screwed.