When I'm uninspired, I watch skating performances. I specially love Michelle Kwan, she was the best skater during my teenage days and her story's one for the movies. Watching her skate is really very nostalgic. I also watch Yuna Kim sometimes as well as Mao Asada, though the former not as much as the latter. They're both technically good but I think Michelle still eclipse them in the gracefulness part. I simply love Michelle on ice and her love for skating simple outshines everyone else.
Anyway, the previous chapters of this fiction were very heavy and this time, I'm putting a more lax chappie. :D Hope you like this one! Any idea who the emperor is? I think it was a giveaway…
LeeRaRa: I know! He's character is sooo far from his real character but I dunno... it seems right... :)
ThePinkMartini: Heehee. He's so cute when he's playing nice. :)
Disclaimer: FY and YGO are not mine.
Seeking the Emperor
By Slavedriver2008
"The new Emperor is still unmarried no da," Chichiri shared and Yui made a face. The Suzaku sei managed to get them two horses and she was riding with Seto. They were headed for Eisei, the capital of the Kutou empire.
"Why is that relevant?" Yui could not help but ask. She was intrigued at the new emperor so she asked Chichiri if there was any information about him. They had discussed the plan when she asked about the young royalty.
"She might find interest in you, that's why." The monk's reaction did not change and he laughed lightly when he turned to find her face in a shade of red. "Hotohori was smitten with Miaka and Boshin was infatuated with you. I don't see why the Kutou Emperor won't find you interesting, no da."
"Don't say that…"
The monk laughed loud and Yui sank back on the saddle. "Women with fair hair and eyes seldom show up in this world. The Hin tribe had long been banished as well, no da. It's only normal for men to get attracted to women who stand out from the females in the harem."
"Are there any other information about the Emperor?" Seto asked and Chichiri turned to them, nodding.
"None. That's the only information Taiitsukun told me about Hakei-sama," Chichiri stopped his horse and Yui gasped when she saw the capital of Kutou from where they stand. It was very different from the one she remembered.
Half of the kingdom was still on the ground, broken and in ashes, but the other half had been in a better state than the former empire. Blue thatched roofs glistened under the sun and the roads were clear and spacious. Construction materials were compiled in one side of the city, to be used in building the other half. The imperial palace towered above everything at the center of the city and it was a stately breathtaking estate. Even the gardens were well-managed from where they stand.
"The new Emperor seemed to have been doing his job well," Yui noted. "I hope he gives us an audience. He must be a very busy man." Yui smirked. "No wonder he doesn't have time to look for an Empress."
"I've investigated ahead and the people of Kutou are a little hostile to the priestess and her warriors, no da," Chichiri explained and Yui looked at the monk, begging him to continue. "You have to hide your marks as much as possible. The tides have changed in the Empire, they no longer trust Seiryuu with their lives, no da."
"I see…" Yui said softly. It was her fault. Instead of strengthening Kutou, her arrival had shown the weakness of the government and its people. Her arrival had uncovered the dirt of the men in power and the citizens lost all trust in the government. "For a young man to rebuild a fallen empire… He must be very determined and eager… He should be admired…"
"How are we going through the palace guards?" Seto asked, ruining her line of thoughts that were venturing towards the depressive parts. Seto had always been the logical one and the thought puts her at ease. At least one of them was using his head. He'll surely place her feet back on the ground.
"Only Yui would, we stay outside for now, no da." Seto eyed the monk and Yui looked at the latter with a confused expression. "The imperial magistrates have been looking for a bride for the Emperor and are eager to fill the harem. Everyday, women from all over the empire are seeking their luck in the capital, no da." The monk pointed to a big house at the east side of the city, where a mob of women had gathered. "The palace understands that girls in the harem will come from the fields so they arranged a house for them, where they will be taught and pampered, no da. Every week, the head of the harem drops by to choose which would be admitted."
"You're not suggesting—"
"We don't' have much choice, Yui. Kutou will not allow us in if they find out we're from another country, no da. The guards only admit people who are here to trade and those who will send their daughters to the school," Chichiri explained.
"But…"
"I'll make sure no one touches you," Seto told her and her back prickled. "Once you're inside, immediately seek an audience with the Emperor and tell him what we need. If he tries to do something inappropriate, I'll come and rescue you. And we'll forget seeking his help."
"That's true, Yui. We won't let anything happen to you, no da." Chichiri smiled wide and Yui sighed. Balancing their options, she doesn't have much choice, does she?
The priestess of Seiryuu had little choice in meeting the new Emperor. Upon the group's arrival at the house, she was immediately admitted and escorted inside the school. During the day, she was taught on how a lady in the harem should act. At night, the monk would visit to tell her news of the outside world, of the Suzaku priestess, of the deposed Prince of Konan, of the movements in the capital. But most of the time, she waits alone, thinking of a young man with a mark on his forehead while watching the dark ebony sky.
"I can't believe Yui got admitted in the harem," Keisuke commented, trying to hide his laughter. "Imagine what Tetsuya would say if he hears this…"
"Yui is in a… harem?" Yugi asked and Keisuke nodded.
"Yeah, they have to talk to the new Kutou emperor. Are you done with your homework yet?" The young boy shook his head and Keisuke sighed. "I can stay and read for another hour. But I have to go home afterwards, I have early classes tomorrow. If I'm not busy I would read all night…"
"It's okay, I'll read until I can. You said they'll be able to come back once the book is finished?" The dark-haired boy asked and Keisuke nodded.
"Yes, the faster we read through the story, the better." Keisuke turned his attention on the book and turned to the first page. It no longer bore the mark of Suzaku, it already bore a dragon. The image scared him a little. If what the goddess said was true and Yui came at the proper time for Seiryuu's legend to unfold, then she would have to face more challenges than before. With a sigh, he continued to read.
A few days after being admitted to the school, the monk told the priestess that the Emperor himself will arrive tomorrow to choose the new women for the harem. Scared, the priestess was not able to sleep well and when she finally fell asleep, the sun was almost peeking in the clouds. The other women did not wake her, jealous that she would steal their spot. When she finally woke up, the priestess was surprised to find her locked in the room.
"Damn," she cursed as she tried to pull open the door. The sliding door did not bulge and she banged it in desperation. She woke up late and managed to dress up for the visit. The only problem, she found out, was that she was locked inside the room.
Even if she doesn't get chosen, she will have the opportunity to meet the Emperor and possibly tell him who she was. Chichiri reminded her last night to take advantage of the opportunity. Yui realized the gravity of the situation. The bandit's lair in Mt Reikaku will be under siege in a few days and if they fail to get the side of the Emperor of Kutou, Miaka, Tamahome, and Boshin will have nowhere to hide. Desperate, she slid open the window of the room and almost jumped out of happiness when she found out that it was not locked.
"Well, girls who are into their looks too much tend to be stupid," Yui noted to herself. If only Chichiri were here, she would have an easier time escaping. But it would be troublesome once they find out he's a Suzaku warrior. "It's my game now."
Without another word, she climbed out of the window and was preparing to jump when someone screamed. "Don't jump, it's too high!" A young man with long brown hair caught her attention and he ran toward her. "Are you trying to kill yourself?"
Yui took a step and she slipped, her shoe landed on the ground and she realized that it was indeed high. But she was not planning to jump, she was planning to climb down, she reasoned in her head. Well, it was stupid of her to use the window in the first place. But she was desperate. Fear gripped her as she held into the window. The man was standing below her, arms outstretched, shouting instructions she could not hear clearly because of panic.
"Shut up!" she screamed and he looked back surprised. "How can I concentrate if you keep on yapping?" She accidentally stepped on a weak wood and it snapped. In less than a second, she was falling down, screaming. She hit a body and the young man made a sound as they both fell on the ground.
"You're heavy…" he muttered as he struggled to breathe. She was straddling him and their eyes met when she fell. Yui blushed when he realized he was a handsome man.
"Of course I'm heavy, I fell down, ne. Don't you know the law of gravity?" she defended, face flushed. She angrily stood up and gasped when she realized her dress was loose. She looked around for the belt of her dress and immediately climbed a few wood to reach for it from the window.
The man she fell into dusted his suit and watched her. "Why were you trying to jump? Well, I don't expect beautiful girls to think, especially those from this house."
Yui angrily turned to him and placed her hands on her waist. "Well, for your information I was not planning to jump—I was planning to climb down. You're so noisy I got confused. It's your fault I fell down," she lied. She was not stupid like the other girls, though she did calculated the height wrong. This book was making her do outrageous things and it scared her a little.
"My fault?" he laughed lightly, shaking his head. "But I caught you and you dirtied my suit."
"You can easily wash it, ne," Yui said matter-of-factly. She walked toward the man and handed her the sleeves of her dress. The man looked at her with a surprised look. "Hold this up for me, will you?" The man held it up and she bit the end of the belt, trying to wrap it around her waist.
"It's still too loose," he noted as he watched her and Yui frowned. She had stayed only for a few days in the school and the head of the household had been teaching them too many things all at the same time. Even though she was a genius, she cannot perfect the way her dress was supposed to be tied. It was a very complicated task, something that entailed more than three days of studying.
"I can't remember how it's done. I guess any tie will do," Yui answered. She finished tying it and looked up to him. "You can let go now." He let go of the long sleeves and Yui patted her dress. She stood straight in front of him and smiled. "Do I look worthy of the harem now?" she asked and the man eyed her from head to foot. "Well?"
"You are beautiful but…" The man shook her head and Yui slapped his chest. He looked back with a surprised reaction. He looked at the spot where she hit him and frowned. "Did you just hit me?"
"I did. You could have lied to make me feel better, you know." Yui sighed and leaned on the wall of the house. A sad smile spread on her lips and she sighed again, pulling the hair ornament from the sleeves of her dress. "I even forgot how to tie my hair right. Why does a girl have to learn all these things just to please one man? I mean… I guess I'll have to find another way to meet the Emperor."
"Why do you want to meet the Emperor?" the young man asked and Yui looked up to him. "The Emperor doesn't want a bride, at least that's what I was told."
"I want to meet him, I didn't say I want to marry him," Yui pointed out and the man raised an eyebrow.
"Every girl in Kutou wants to marry the Emperor. Every girl wants to share their bodies to the man who saved this country from ruin," he said in a voice that was proud but lacked arrogance. Yui raised an eyebrow.
"The last thing I want is to spend my entire life serving a man… I'd rather use my time learning how to become a doctor than to wait every night for some guy to… you know what lovers do at night," she stated, earning a laugh and blush from the man. She raked eyes over his figure and realized he was wearing a suit that was pricier than the ones she was wearing. It was simple but it definitely costs more. "Are you from the palace?" she asked and the man straightened, relieved she finally recognized him. "You're with the Emperor's convoy! This must be my lucky day, thank Seiryuu! Are you one of his assistants?"
"You still believe in Seiryuu?" he asked, not bothering to answer what he was doing in the palace. She smiled.
"Of course. There's nothing wrong with believing in him."
"He ruined this country," the man said, slightly angry. "Kutou is in a worst state because of him."
"It was not him, but the demon who brought destruction to Kutou. One of his warriors was blinded by revenge. It is the former emperor who caused this, and the hate of the other tribes who perished under his reign. He brought destruction to Kutou and not Seiryuu," she explained. "Although, I think the priestess was to be blamed for it."
"You know your history."
"Of course, it is through the mistakes of the past that we learn. If the war never happened, the new Emperor would not be in power. I think Kutou is in better hands now." She picked up her shoe and placed it on her foot.
"Are you a Hin?" he asked, looking at her in sharp hazel eyes. Yui stood up to meet his gaze. Chichiri reminded her countless times to deny being from that tribe. It will bring trouble, he said. "I was barely a year old when the last emperor died and a Hin, the fierce General named Nakago, took over the crown. I was told that he has hair that shone as bright as the sun and eyes that were as blue as the clearest lake." The man walked toward her and Yui stepped back. "He was the last of his kind and there were no tales of him having a child…"
"I'm not a Hin," she answered defiantly. The man stepped closer and pushed away the hair to reveal a sole pearl on her right earlobe. Yui's skin prickled, she never thought he noticed she was wearing one.
"Only a Hin can acquire a Seiran pearl. It is beautiful but has no value. No jeweler wants to buy and sell them." He moved away and looked at her from head to foot. "A Seiran pearl is like a ring that unites two hearts. If you already have a lover, why would you want to enter the harem?"
Yui fingered the earring. A piece of jewelry that connects two lovers… Then when Nakago gave her the earring, was he… recognizing her as the love of his life? The man made a sound and she shook her head, trying to dispel the last line of thoughts. She rummaged through her head for a reason to give the man, to deny her identity.
"I told you, I am not a Hin. This earring belongs to a lover, yes. But he had long died and I found it in the spoils of war, the same way he found it when we were young." Pain shot through her heart. It then dawned on her that the Nakago she saw last night, the Nakago who kissed her, who she asked to be saved by a Suzaku warrior, was not the Nakago who gave her this earring. Her Nakago had long died and gone and the only thing left was the mark on Seto's head. "And as I said, I do not wish to marry the Emperor, I simply want an audience with him."
"Why do you want an audience with the Emperor?" he asked and Yui met his searching gaze. He has the air that was similar to Boshin yet he was different. He seemed more determined and strong-willed.
"I want to ask for his help, that's all."
"Everyone wants his help."
"But it's a help that only he can give." Yui pulled her hair up and struggled to tie her hair, unmindful if he sees her sole earring. When she was done, she placed the hair pin but the bun immediately fell down on her shoulders. "Can you at least give him a message?" The man did not answer and she walked toward him. "Please tell the emperor that I will find other ways to seek an audience with him."
"Where will he find you?" he asked and Yui shook her head.
"He doesn't have to look for me. I will find him," she noted and the man laughed. The tension in their conversation had completely faded and she marveled at the way he can change the mood of a conversation with one laugh. "Hey, don't make fun of me. I will find a way to sneak inside the palace. But don't tell the guards, okay?" She took his hand and placed the hair pin with the sapphire ornaments. Her hair fell down on her shoulders and she smiled at him. "This is for you, for catching me. Domo arigatou gozaimasu."
"What's your name?" he asked before Yui could turn and she blinked at him, unsure whether to give her name or not. Chichiri did not tell her to lie about her name, though.
"Yui, its Yui."
"Yui…" he smiled and Yui's heart palpitated. "My name is Hakei."
"I'll see you again then," she said, brushing away the fact that he was too handsome to be just a mere helper in the palace. "Right now, I have an Emperor to find." Before he could say more, Yui pulled her dress up and ran toward the direction of the courtyard, where the Emperor was probably busy choosing the woman for his harem.
A/N: I'm honestly planning to scrap the new Emperor thing in this story but I realized that since I already introduced him, I might as well continue with that plot line. Thanks for everyone who's been following and reading this story. :D Please do leave reviews.
