I have 3 things to point out: 1) I'm supposed to send this chapter over for beta'ing but I've been off the hook for a long time I'm not sure if Khryztinne is still free. 2) I'm supposed to re-write the perspective here, but due to my busy sked, I can't re-align so tell me what you think of this chappie! And 3) I TERRIBLY MISS WRITING FANFIC! Enjoy!

ThePinkMartini: Oh, the update was only in passing. I miss writing fanfictions. Haha. Thanks for liking the last part of the previous chappie—I like that part too!

Obsessed Dreamer: I'm glad the previous chappie made you happy! Yes, Nakago's presence is so subtle but powerful. ;)

Khryztinne: Haha. I'm actually not officially coming back yet. Probably by end of the month. :) Do send word if you can beta this story. :D I'm not yet in the writing high but I might start writing again soon.

Anne Raven: Yes! Yui and Hotohori look very cute together! :D Luckily, I'm scheduled to finish Eien no Monogatari this year. :) I will be posting an update soon. :)

Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi is not mine.

The Holy Mountain

By Slavedriver2008

KUTOU WAS NEARING the second spring and the heat was building more and more with each passing day. The flowers bloomed in a mad dash to prettify every patch of land where they grew. Even the trees bore flowers, in colorful shades that brought out the beauty of the land of the east. During the springs, Kutou was a land to be envied. For flowers do not bloom as beautiful, fruits do not become as sweet, and the skies never become as clear.

Petals and blades of grass brushed through Yui's face and the light sensations caused her to open her eyes, immediately meeting the light blue skies that carried the scent of spring. The priestess slowly sat up and she immediately turned when a soft robe lapped through her skin. Her breath caught when she saw a handsome man with piercing dark blue eyes.

"Seiryuu…" she whispered his name and a smile moved through his face.

"You look like a mess," he noted and she flushed. The wind sent his long dark blue hair in ripples that imitated the surface of the sea. Slowly, he turned away and was about to stand when she clutched the edges of his robe, pulling him back beside her.

"Don't go yet…" she called softly. His robes were soft between her fingers and she was briefly tempted to move her fingers over his hair, whose tips were brushing her cheeks. "Seiryuu…"

"I never go away," he answered, taking his seat and looking at her in those intense blue eyes. He lifted a hand and it caressed her cheek, sending warmth through her face and a shudder through her spine. "I'm here, like always."

"Do you regret making me your priestess?" she asked and he smiled again. He moved closer, she can smell him, the scent of the sea, the scent of her home. It was a lovely aroma.

"When the time comes, we will be one," he whispered. He finally leaned down to capture her parted lips but before they met, her eyes darted open and a ceiling made of stone greeted her to consciousness.

"Where… Where am I?" she asked, slowly standing up. Tomo immediately sat down on the side of the bed and pulled her into his arms.

"You're awake," he whispered, stating the obvious. Her breathing had stabilized but she still felt weak. The sensation of drowning returned to her and she shivered when he started to brush through her hair with thin long fingers.

"Tomo—"

"I'm sorry," he told her and she stilled. "I got jealous." The warrior slowly cupped her face and looked at her intently, those beautiful gray eyes a little misty. "I love you," he whispered and Yui's breath caught.

"What…?"

"I know it's not the right time but I want to tell you," he immediately explained, smiling in that pained smile she never liked in him. "So when you think of falling in love, you'll think of me."

"Chuuin—"

"I didn't ask you to love me back. No, I never asked that," he pointed out, moving his lips to kiss her forehead. His lips were warm, a change in the coldness that filled her body. "But when this is over, I'll ask you again. By then, I want an answer." He planted another kiss on her forehead and was about to capture her mouth when a noise erupted outside the doors of the room. "Damn, what wrong timing. Those annoying freaks are here again," he said, making a face.

The door banged open and the Creator glided inside the room. But what caught her attention were the numerous little girls that followed the deity. "Nyan! Nyan! Nyan! Nyan! Nyan!" The little girls squealed in a repetitive and lively manner that disturbed her.

"What…are they?" she asked, blinking.

"I've been asking myself too," Tomo replied, staring wide-eyed at the same creatures that caught her attention.

"Seiryuu no miko," the Creator started but her voice drowned in the chants of the little girls. "You nyan-nyans shut up!" The little girls immediately shut up and frowned.

"Mean mean Taiitsukun!" The girls chanted. "You're scaring the miko! Nyan-nyan!"

"Shut up!" The Creator screamed again and the little girls bounced back and forth, frowning and whispering among themselves. "I want a word with the priestess, warrior Tomo."

"Hai," Tomo replied, standing up but leaving a kiss on her forehead. Yui smiled. He was such a sweet man. When the commotion in this country ended, she will think about his proposal. He was an easy man to love and if he continues to shower her with affection, she just might give in. At least he cares for her, unlike someone…

The Creator lifted her hands and the walls of the room glimmered in bright yellow light. The Nyan-nyans immediately broke into frenzy, jumping up and down, until the old woman screamed again and threatened to throw them out of the room.

"There, no eavesdropping. Take some tea, its good in the morning." The woman offered and the little girls approached her bed, carrying a cup of hot green tea, chanting "tea" as she took the cup. "Come on, hurry up! I have a gift for you, in time it will help you." The woman raised her hand again and the mark on her forehead immediately appeared, covering her in a wonderful stream of blue light. When it slowly disappeared, she still felt the euphoria, the wonderful feeling of Seiryuu's powers moving through every vein in her body. He was wonderful, addicting. "How are you feeling now?"

"I'm fine, Taiitsukun-sama. Seiryuu appeared in my dreams earlier," she answered, still high after the surge of power that surrounded her. Taiitsukun smiled and nodded, as if saying something to herself.

"My sons have been fond of doing that to their priestesses. Suzaku is more persistent, he would even inhibit an unanimated object just to talk. Byakko would use people and Genbu doesn't talk at all." The woman flew closer to her and Yui smiled. "Seiryuu is more conventional… talking to you in dreams, though it also means that he won't tell you directly what he wants."

"He said that one day we will become one," she whispered slowly. She doesn't know what it means or how it will come to be, but it sounded good.

"Do you want to know what that means?" The old woman asked and Yui nodded, still feeling light and happy. "Do you really want to know what become of priestesses who utter all three wishes?"

"Hai," she nodded with a wide smile. "I want to know, Taiitsukun-sama."

"Very well. You are mature enough to know." The woman flew back and sighed. When she met the younger woman's gaze, she bore a serious expression. "You will be a bastion of his power—and for him to do so, he has to devour you." Her voice reverberated through Yui's consciousness and the fleeting feeling immediately evaporated. She straightened and the woman saw her teal eyes widen in surprise in horror. "So you cannot marry any of your warriors afterward because there will be no afterward. You cannot let them touch you with love or desire or any human emotion."

"Then I am—"

"A sacrifice," she said in a voice that had given her verdict. Yui shivered as she covered her mouth to hide the gasp that left her. "You are only alive because he chose you. If he did not, you would have faded away like you father." The woman floated away but Yui followed her with her eyes, wanting to ask her questions but not finding the right words. "Being a miko is not easy… you are one step closer to immortality." The Creator turned and smiled, or what Yui thought was a smile. "To be a fitting sacrifice, you have to remain pure. Seiryuu no miko, do you understand?"

"But I… I'm already tainted Taiitsukun-sama… Nakago—"

"Decided not to do anything to you, " Taiitsukun cut her and Yui looked up, surprised. "Instead of abusing you as what he initially intended, he changed his mind and let you assume he did so. It seems that there is still hope for that boy…" Taiitsukun moved closer and started to fan herself. "But you must always be careful… such instances will surely happen again—and if you're not strong enough, you will be broken before Seiryuu owns you."

Yui blinked and looked down, wrapping arms around her trembling body. Mixed feelings filled her. She was relieved she was untainted, that Nakago still had the heart to not break her. But at the same time, fear gripped her. She was afraid. Yes, she was afraid and the unconscious clattering of her teeth proved so. She bit her lip and shook her head, clearing it of the thousand thoughts that filled her, and she sighed to release the tension in her muscles. Everything was destined to happen.

"Hai… I understand," she responded, smiling at the woman. "Sometimes I ask myself why I'm still alive, why no matter what I do, I still wake up surrounded by people who loves me. Thank you for telling me, Taiitsukun-sama." She wanted to cry but she wanted to be strong too. When people knew their purpose, it hurts them, but it was better than living blinded. "I will never stray away from my purpose."

Tears fell from her eyes. Her life was never hers from the beginning. The moment Seiryuu appeared in her dreams, she was no longer merely a princess of a fallen dynasty. She was more than that—and she has to overcome all her worldly desires in the path to immortality. She was lucky to have been chosen by the god of her land, of the god her ancestors worshiped and venerated. She was a princess because she came from his house. The blood that flowed through her veins was once his. It was fitting that he take it back in exchange for saving Kutou. Yui wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled even though her heart broke.

She could never marry Tomo, never bore his children, never see the future of the country she loved with her heart. Her disappearance would give way to peace. She would give way to a land where soldiers won't abuse young boys, where families can live together in harmony without the threat of war. These thoughts, she realized, weighed more than her personal desires.

"I have more to tell you. You are against a very powerful enemy, miko. Come, let us talk to your warriors," Taiitsukun turned around and Yui wiped the tears from her eyes, standing up to follow the Creator. "You still need to look for the others, ne."

"Hai, I will do what it takes to have them on my side," she answered eagerly.

"Seiryuu no miko, never make a promise you cannot fulfill," the woman said as they walked through the passageway of her temple. "Never accept proposals. Remember for who you are for."

"Yui!" A familiar voice called before she could ask the old woman questions and the thought disappeared in her head once she saw her twin warriors.

"Suboshi! Amiboshi!" The two smiled as she walked closer and she wanted to embrace them. But before she could, Taiitsukun placed a scroll between them. Yui took it and her eyes widened after she read the note on the scroll.

"Here is the scroll of the heaven and earth," the Creator said. "When you have found all your warriors, you are to open the scroll and summon Seiryuu."

"Where do we summon Seiryuu?" Tomo asked, walking beside her. Yui remembered his proposal and Taiitsukun's revelation. It pained her, and it will pain him, once he knew. "There are no temples inside the Imperial Palace. I asked around," he said.

"Ah, good question." Taiitsukun nodded. "Seiryuu no miko," she called and Yui turned.

"Hai…?"

"Listen well. Before the god and the maiden becomes one, they are to share the same blood."

"I don't understand, Taiitsukun-sama," she stated, trying to remember the words and what it meant.

"Of course you won't understand—You have to solve the first riddle."

"First riddle?"

"You are supposed to be smarter than the Suzaku no miko, you know." Taiitsukun slapped her forehead and sighed. "That little brat is a pain. But I can't question my sons' choices, you know." She opened her fan and started to fan herself, oblivious to her question. "Let's see, what else do I need to tell you…"

"Taiitsukun-sama, you said we are against a powerful enemy. Who are we exactly against?" Yui asked and the Creator's face became stern.

"Ah yes… I'm afraid that the most powerful majin has managed to get a human form." Taiitsukun shook her head and flew closer. "This is a threat to all kingdoms, not just on Kutou. It is no mistake that all four priestesses have appeared at the same time—and that they are all struggling to find their warriors and call on their gods." She met her eyes and Yui felt a chill through her spine. "But you have more task than the others, Seiryuu no miko. The crimson sun rises in the East and will first bring havoc to your territory."

"The crimson sun… Then the spirits of lower-earth are—"

"Ready to come out and again cause bloodshed. They are not happy with the way Seiryuu sealed them. Once the crimson sun rises, they will again rise—You know the legend." The old woman flew away and looked out to the sights outside her temple. Yui could not make out any clear images, only clouds and bubbles and trees. "What else do you want to know? You should take advantage that you're in front of the Creator."

"I…" Yui sighed and her hands clutched the scroll. "Who killed my father?"

Taiitsukun turned toward them and their eyes met. They looked at each other for a long time until the old woman flicked her hand and a large mirror appeared before them. The mirror had no corners and on its four sides were humongous balls of different colors, bearing the names of the four gods of heaven.

"This is the Mirror that records everything that happens to all four kingdoms at the same time. It sees everything, Seiryuu no miko. Everything," the woman crooned as she flew closer. "Let us see what happened three months ago, on the Spring that began with the prophecies in the Throne Room of the Imperial Palace of Shinryu."

The Creator lifted her hand and turned to the mirror. The clouds parted and slowly, it showed the Palace of Kutou, slowly guiding them down until the images entered the window of the Throne Room and the familiar celebration caught their attention. Everything was clear from their vantage point, clearer than her memories of that same night.

"Ages past spoke of a powerful being, a man borne of the sea who gives the country treasures. An omnipotent creature who walked with the rising sun. A force who brought countless victories. Statues and idols were made to give him a face, yet none closely depicted him. He was known by many names, yet he was nameless. The God of the East. The Lord of War. The Water Deity. The Bringer of Spring. The Dragon. Seiryuu…"

Yui saw the banquet, the nobles seated in front of the throne for the narration. She saw herself, innocent and young, watching in awe as the bard continued to narrate the story of Seiryuu and the day he became immortal. Then the images shifted to faces she had not seen noticed that night. Koyuu-sama stood stiffly on the right of his father, constantly whispering words on the Emperor's ear.

Her father would only nod and then smile bitterly. Yui stepped closer; her father had the look of a man who knew his end was near. She then noticed the dark circles around his teal blue eyes, the tiredness in his features evident despite the elegant clothes he wore. His hair was tied down and it then occurred to her how meek he had become. He no longer looked like the head of a pack of wolves, fierce and mighty. He was… a man to die, the prey.

The image then moved to Minako, trembling as she drank from her cup. She bit her lip and drank more. The cup spilled on the table and Hakei grunted, eyeing his sister with annoyance and then shifting his gaze to her. The man smiled and Yui felt her cheeks brightened. Tomo cleared his throat. The image then showed the nobles, caught into the narration like hers. And then it moved behind the boulder near the throne to show a man with striking blue eyes.

Yui gasped. It was Nakago. He was leaning on the pillar, dressed as a soldier. Koyuu eyed him from the side of the throne and the warrior smirked in response. Why had she not seen him? Yui was still deep in thoughts when a loud round of applause filled the air and a deep voice she knew too well but have forgotten reverberated through the hall.

"Hime-sama, what do you think of Hin-san's story?"

A tear fell from her eye. She sighed and then looked up again to see him, the man who took care of her, who never failed to smile in her presence. A deep ache spread through her heart and she covered her mouth to stop herself from sobbing. She was so happy then, unaware that there was already a plot to kill him. She would give everything just to go back to that time. She would have embraced him while she can. She moved the ring on her finger as she continued to watch, knowing what will happen, but being powerless to do anything. The celebration eventually ended and everybody left for their chambers. It was then that the real action began.

The next scenes made her breath caught. Soldiers slowly moved out of their posts, oblivious to the others, attacking unknowing soldiers. Cloaked ninjas jumped on the roofs of the Imperial Palace and five stopped by her room, pulling out a kunai. Yui wrapped a hand on the pearl, it was pounding on her palm. Before their hands touched her door, three of the ninjas immediately turned to dust and a blue light shimmered at the end of the hallway. Heavy footsteps came closer and the image of Nakago appeared, holding out a hand, his mark shining on his forehead.

"Do not touch what's mine…"

The remaining shinobis nodded and left immediately. Nakago stopped in front of her door and turned, watching the lid as his powers gently subsided. Without another word, he turned to where he came from and disappeared in the night. Yui's eyes widened as he watched him, a suspicion forming in her head.

"No… It can't be…" she muttered. She stepped closer to the mirror, eyes wide and waiting.

Then there was Koyuu-sama, clutching his head and vomiting, poisoned from food at the banquet. When her father was shown again, he was sitting on his bed, holding his sword. His eyes opened and in a blink of an eye, he disappeared, leaving not a trace of him. The boys behind Yui gasped and she blinked. Was it possible…?

The door banged open and Yui saw herself, heaving and calling to the man, scanning the room and seeing nothing. Her heart constricted and Yui bit her lip, eager to see the last encounter they had.

"What are you doing in my room, Yui? Why are you still here? I asked the shogun to hide you."

"I had a dream, father. The empire—"

"—is falling. After tonight, my leadership will be no more. The time for my punishment has come, Yui. I am sorry but I could no longer be a father to you."

"What are you saying, father? You are a good man. You have done nothing! Is Kutou under siege? From what country? We can—"

"No, Yui. You must survive. This should belong to you. Do not ever lose it. May Seiryuu bless you, daughter. Trust but with a grain of salt."

Yui fingered the ring again, crying. Tomo stepped toward her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer. Yui doesn't want to, it was forbidden, but she let herself seek his comfort. In front of them, her father had turned toward the door, unsheathing his sword. A pair of hands emerged from the wall and grabbed her, pulling her to a black mass that ended in another place within the Empire.

"The time for your death has come, Emperor."

Tears rolled down her cheeks as the familiar deep voice reverberated through the room. Heavy blue boots walked inside and Yui sobbed as a familiar figure emerged from the shadows, clutching a sword and a smirk she knew too well. Thin blue lines shone on his forehead, forming one word.

"Nakago," it was her father, smiling before the man who would eventually kill him.

"Have you prayed to your god?"

"We have the same god. The mark on your forehead proved so," the Emperor said. "Tell me, son, what would you get by doing this?"

"Nothing," Nakago answered. "The priestess has arrived. Do you know what that means Father?" The Emperor was taken aback. "She promised to give me her last wish. But before that, I promised to give your head. I don't have to bring the body do I?" Nakago raised his hand, his chi building.

"STOP!" Yui screamed in the same time blood splattered on the room, on the cool white sheets, on his father's Imperial Robes, on his sword.

The Mirror darkened and Yui fell on the floor, Tomo's arms were around her, embracing her as she wept unabatedly. The hall was silent but for her sobbing. Yui doesn't know what hurt more: seeing the way his father was killed or seeing who caused it.

"No… No… Father…"

He saved her. He saved her from the same fate.

Tears continued to flow from her eyes and Yui cannot remember how long she cried. The only things in her head were the images, the exchange, the faces. Nakago killed her father. She covered her mouth to stop the curses that were dying to break free. Hate filled her heart and the mark on her forehead shone bright.

Ayuru…why?

When she had subsided, she was staring at the marble floors, unblinking, seeing the images again and again. Her eyes continued to release tears but she felt numb. There was no pain, no sensation, merely a heightened sense of awareness of things beyond her control. Her heart suddenly ached and she clutched the robe on her chest, breathing hard and laborious.

"Yui…"

"It was his revenge…" she said softly, voice rough from crying. Tears streaked from her eyes again and Yui started to sob as she remembered the time when she woke up in his tent, bloodied and bruised. "He took away my father's life…" Tomo's arms wrapped stronger around her. She closed her eyes as a deluge of tears continued to fall.

She promised to kill the man who brought her father's death. She vowed to get her revenge. For her father's life she offered her soul to Seiryuu. To save his kingdom she took in all the pain she came across with in her journey. But can she kill him? Can she kill her own warrior? She was confused and hurting. She doesn't know what to do or if there was anything to be done. She simply wanted to lie down and cry.

"Taiitsukun-sama—a troop of soldiers from Kutou are at the foot of the mountains!" Yui looked up and found a monk. He appeared from the shadows, the way Ryu-sama appeared when he saved her. The monk saw her and was taken aback.

"Chichiri, how many soldiers are waiting?" Taiitsukun asked.

"Around thousands, in two groups." The monk placed back his straw hat and frowned. "Hotohori sent me to check if they are planning an attack but they stopped moving."

"They're after me…" she said. "He's there… He's one of those soldiers," she whispered. "I want to see him… I want to know why he killed my father…" she said, her voice breaking as tears continued to fall from her eyes. "Nakago…"

A/N: The plot is thickening and writing is getting harder and harder. But a few more chapters to go and I'm done with this story. You don't know how much I wanted to get this story off my head! Please do drop reviews!