Kida: *Asleep at desk*

Hotohori: When did she fall asleep?

Naruto: *Shrugs* Right after she finished the chapter.

Tamahome: I think she mentioned something about a presentation she had to give today so she had trouble sleeping last night.

Hotohori: Oh dear. I hope she'll be okay.

Tamahome: You and me both. She's not fun to deal with when she's crabby. Kida Tenshi doesn't own Naruto or Fushigi Yuugi, just Aika Hitsubasa and any future OCs. Please enjoy!

The Emperor of Konan searched the land and the best literary and martial artists were summoned to court. The Lady Aika as Priestess of Suzaku must identify the remaining five warriors of the southern realm. During and exercise, the colomn collapsed and Lady Aika was buried by the rubble. She only escaped death by Tamahome's intervention who saved her from being crushed, even though it caused him personal injury. A woman appeared to dig them out. Nuriko with a Willow symbol on her chest and extraordinary strength. She became enamored with Tamahome and ignored Aika completely. In fact, she was rude and never considered Aika's feelings in the least. Flaunting her creminis and feminine wilds.

"The Priestess of Suzaku was being held closely by Tamahome, but her thoughts gave her no peace," Naruto read as he looked at the picture.

~0~

'I wonder what Nuriko would think if she saw this. If she does like Tamahome then I feel wrong about this,'Aika thought to herself before sighing.

"What is it?" Tamahome asked her.

"Are you sure you're not in love with Nuriko?" Aika asked.

"How could I be? I just met her and besides, she's not my type at all," Tamahome said, a little disturbed at the thought.

"Really? No joke?" Aika asked with a small smile. Tamahome chuckled before pulling away. He then walked to the ledge and put a foot up on the railing.

"Oh, I get it. You're jealous of her. Come on, admit it," Tamahome smirked. "This happens to me all the time. The ladies love me for my charm and class and good looks too I'm sure. But I'm not interested. I'm sorry, I'm look for money. Not for love," Tamahome said. He then started laughing.

"No! You've got the wrong idea, pal!" Aika told him but Tamahome just kept laughing. She then frowned. 'I just hoped he didn't like Nuriko like that, that's all. I'm not jealous,' she thought. She heard Tamahome still laughing. "How long are you gonna keep that up, you goof?!" She asked. What they didn't know was that Nuriko was listening in on them.

~0~

It was now night time and Nuriko was leaning against the railing thinking to herself when Aika walked up to her. Nuriko looked at her.

"Aika."

"What's the matter, Nuriko?" Aika asked concerned when she saw the sad look on Nuriko's face.

"Well, I was walking around the pond in the west side pavilion today and I seem to have lost the mate this precious earring," Nuriko said showing her the earring.

"Oh, it's beautiful!" Aika smiled.

"It's Yakojyu, a family heirloom. My mother gave them to me when I was ordered to enter the harem. They've always been my favorite."

"I see," Aika smiled a bit, understanding the importance of something.

"The stone shines in the dark so the best time to look for it is in the evening or at night. But none of the maids will go out because they're afraid of the dark, I guess," Nuriko said to her.

"I'll help you. I'm not afraid to go out there and look," Aika told her.

"Oh really?" Nuriko asked.

"It's the family heirloom you treasure the most, right? Then no problem, it has to be found seeing as it's important. Don't worry, you can count on me," Aika smiled at her.

"In that case, in order to repay your generosity, please accept my allegiance and allow me to serve you as Nuriko of the Suzaku Seven," Nuriko smiled. Aika smiled more.

"Nuriko, I would be honored. Wait right here, I promise that I'll find it for you!" Aika said before running off.

"Thank you. I'll be right here waiting!" Nuriko called.

~0~

At the gazebo, Hotohori was talking with his courtiers.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Well, you are eighteen, Sire and the time has long since come for you to choose and Empress. Has it not entered your mind?" The courtier asked.

"We went to all the time and trouble to collect these beauties from all over the country. Explain it to us, Sire. Why do you completely ignore the women in your harem?" The other courtier asked.

"Because."

"Because?"

"I am more beautiful than they are," Hotohori replied making the two look at him nervously. "I was joking," he added before they both let out nervous chuckles. Hotohori look up at the sky. "What concerns me now is the Empire and its people. And Empress can wait until later," he said before they started leaving the gazebo.

"Y-yes, Sire."

"But Sire, how about the young woman they are calling Nuriko?" One of them suggested.

"Never in a million years. She is one of the Seven Celestial Warriors, remember? And I don't go in for that. Besides, there is an ideal woman I have been dreaming of since I was a very small child," Hotohori stated.

"And ideal woman?"

"Oh! Hello, Hotohori," Aika smiled as she appeared by the bridge. The two courtiers had been surprised at the unexpected voice.

"Aika, what in heaven's name are you doing out here so late?" Hotohori smiled at her.

"Well, Nuriko needed some help, so I'm running and errand for her. That's all," Aika said.

"Are the two of you having a difficult time? My men have been keeping me informed as to all that's going on with you," Hotohori said. Aika frowned slightly as she remembered her talk with the purple haired woman.

"Well…."

"So, I will have to order her to behave. No one can disobey an imperial demand and she will have to-."

"Oh no you don't," Aika said stopping him.

"Hm?" Hotohori hummed.

"You cannot command someone to change their mind or their heart. Remember that," Aika smiled warmly. "Even though I said it would be useless for me to make friends with anyone, It's kinda already too later. I want to be friends with her, or at least on good levels. So I have to be the one to initiate it. I'm alright with that. Now, if you'll excuse me. Good night," she said before running off, leaving a speechless Emperor.

~0~

Soon the raven haired girl was in a swamp like area, looking around. Aika was becoming a little frustrated, but sucked it up.

"It's just gotta be around here somewhere," Aika said looking around. She sighed and was about to head back until some birds squawked and flew off, scaring her into falling into the water.

~0~

Naruto gasped as he saw he was suddenly soaking wet with water from head to toe.

"W-what is happening to me now?" He asked with a small groan. But he was more worried for his friend.

~0~

'I can't move! Oh, I'm stuck! Ugh, I can't breathe! Help me! Tamahome!' Aika thought as she tried to swim up. She was caught in seaweed and was beginning to panic. She knew once she was out, she would be after Nuriko.

~0~

"Aika!" Tamahome gasped as he shot up from the bed. "Aika called for me just now, I can feel it. Something just isn't right, I know it," Tamahome said clutching his shirt.

~0~

Nuriko laughed as she sat in her chair. Two of her maids were with her.

"Oh, she's an idiot! Like a puppy dog, she ran out to the western pond in the middle of the night for nothing. The harem is never even allowed into the pavilions so how could I have been strolling anywhere near there?" Nuriko asked.

"Exactly," one of the maids giggled.

"What a dummy. She's probably soaking wet by now," Nuriko said.

"The girl from another world needs to learn harem adequate, or she won't get along in this place," the other maid said before the door flew open. Nuriko gasped when she saw who was at the door.

"T-Tamahome," she panicked when she saw his angered look.

"Is everything I heard you say the truth?" He glared. He suddenly got a feeling and started to run until Nuriko grabbed his wrist. "Hey! Let go! Let go of me, you dominatrix!"

"No, I won't! I won't ever let you go to her!" Nuriko shouted.

"Aika wants to be friends with you! Are you blind?! Can't you see she's been trying!" Tamahome glared.

"She irritates me! She keeps both you and the Emperor all to herself! I've been in the harem for almost a year and he's never paid any attention to me! She suddenly shows up and all the men go nuts which I don't get at all! What makes her so special, huh?! I mean, what does the Emperor see in her?! She's not even women yet! So I decided to get my revenge and take you away from her!" Nuriko stated.

"I see," Aika said making the two look at the soaking wet girl. "So this was all a fool's errand because you were jealous of me?" Aika glared coldly. She then walked up to her.

"I'm really glad you're safe," Tamahome said with relief.

"So what? I don't care and I will not apologize. It's your own fault for being such an idiot," Nuriko snapped at her.

"Bite me," Aika said with a bored and cold tone, pretty much how Sasuke used to sound.

"Everybody indulges you just because you two come from some other world," Nuriko said.

"Right," Aika replied.

"Quit taunting me! Are you so scared of me that you can't fight back or don't you think I mean it?" Nuriko glared before slapping her. Another thing Aika didn't stand for was being slapped.

"Get a damn life!" Aika snapped. "I should do worse than slap you, but I'm actually the bigger person compared to you. I will return to my village and I will bring peace to this Empire. You can hate me all you want, but you will work with me and the other Warriors because it's the right thing to do. Also, the Emperor is just my friend. Honestly, if anyone's the idiot, it's you, Nuriko," Aika said before walking off, leaving a stunned Nuriko and Tamahome behind.

~0~

Aika sighed as she talked to Hotohori.

"You're point is?" Hotohori asked her.

"So, my point is, I just thought you should know. That's all," Aika replied. "It's always nice to know someone nearby loves you, don't you think? I mean, how would you know if someone didn't tell you?" 'Besides, maybe this'll get Nuriko off my back.'

"Aika, do you have someone you love?" Hotohori asked curious.

"Well, I…" Aika thought of Tamahome. "But we're not talking about me, are we?" Aika smiled sheepishly.

"I have someone. All of my life, I have been waiting," Hotohori looked straight at her. "For only one woman," he said surprising her.

~0~

Naruto was ringing out the bandages he kept in his pouch. He was then surprised. He unwrapped some of the bandages.

"What? Amazing! All of a sudden it's dry! Believe it!" Naruto exclaimed. He then looked back at the book. "The Emperor revealed to the Priestess how he felt about her."

~0~

Hotohori gently pushed Aika onto the bed, hovering over her as she blushed a bit.

"When I was a child, I was told about the legend of Suzaku who came from another world. And since then I often dreamed of what she would be like. Aika, you are the one that I imagined. The only one I'm interested in and I want to know all about you. Everything," Hotohori said before he started leaning in, closing his eyes. Aika's brown eyes were wide and she suddenly saw Tamahome flash through her mind.

'Tamahome,' she thought before closing her eyes and clamping her lips shut. Suddenly Hotohori stopped and grabbed his sword from under the pillow before getting out of bed. "What is it?" She asked as Hotohori drew his sword, standing at a wall. 'What Happened?' Aika thought before Hotohori suddenly strike the wall a few times. The wall then crumbled revealing Tamahome and Nuriko with their hands to their ears. "Tamahome! Nuriko!" Aika scolded. The two began humming like they were innocent and like nothing was happening.

"What are you two doing here? Answer me," Hotohori demanded. The two climbed into the room through the hole.

"Sire, we've come to pick up Aika," Tamahome answered.

"Well, Tamahome, you should have been more considerate tonight and thought this through a little better. Even though I had previously granted you permission to enter my chamber," Hotohori stated as Aika looked away from Tamahome's gaze. She hadn't wanted this to happen.

"I'm sorry, Sire," Tamahome apologized.

"Hotohori, will you excuse me please?" Aika asked.

"Aika, I meant everything I told you earlier. You say you want to find a way back to your own world, but you must reconsider because after our mission, I want you for my wife," Hotohori said surprising the raven haired girl.

"Y-you want me for what?" Aika stammered. Tamahome was silently praying she wouldn't.

"Of course it's not an imperial command. You can't order someone to change their mind, I know that. I will find a way to make you fall in love with me, Aika. You can sleep here tonight," he smiled at her. Aika was blushing before Hotohori walked away.

'An Emperor just proposed to me. It's unbelievable,' Aika thought. The next morning, she rubbed her sleepy eyes. "I didn't even sleep a wink last night," she mumbled to herself before going to her room to change into her clothing. "What is it about me that's got Hotohori's eye?" She asked before looking the mirror to fix her hair. "I look plain, why would he like me that way?" She asked next before sighing. She left her room and yawned as she stretched a bit. 'Tamahome must have heard it all. I wonder how he took it,' Aika thought before accidently bumping into someone. "Oh, excuse me!" She said before she saw it was Tamahome.

"Oh, it's you," Tamahome said before starting to walk away.

'That's it? Nothing about last night?' Aika asked herself frowning. "Where are you going?"

"I gotta get to work. I've been letting my business slide these past few days and the streets are calling me back," Tamahome replied in a bored tone.

"Wait, I'll come with you," Aika offered as she walked up to him. Tamahome looked at her with a blank expression.

"Well, I'm sure you're busy making new friends and searching for your other four warriors as well," Tamahome stated before he kept walking.

"But, Tamahome…" Aika frowned sadly. She suddenly caught an angered vibe and turned to see an angry Nuriko.

"Aika…" Nuriko growled. "You're just Hotohori's friend, right?! How dare you spend the night in the Emperor's chambers?! I'll never forgive you for that!"

"You're taking it the wrong way," Aika sighed, not effected by her anger. She's seen it enough from Sakura. Nuriko smiled when she saw Tamahome.

"Tamakins! Wait for me!" Nuriko called running after him.

"As soon as I hoped to make friends with her, it becomes a complete mess," Aika muttered. She then looked sadly at Tamahome. 'What is going on with Tamahome? He's treating me like a complete stranger. And he didn't say anything about last night as if it didn't mean anything at all to him,' she thought before standing up. She then started following them. 'I feel bad about following them, but I need to make friends with Nuriko and I also need to find out what Tamahome is thinking. Nuriko will be hard though. She's a trip. She says she loves Hotohori, but she hangs all over Tamahome,' Aika thought as she followed them after turning her hair short and brown and her eyes blue, different outfit too.

"Do you see her there? She thinks she's in disguise," Nuriko said about Aika.

"Let her think it," Tamahome said not caring.

"Oh, indifference now," Nuriko smiled. Tamahome made it to an area and ran up the steps before facing everyone.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Hey, everyone pay attention here!" Tamahome shouted. "Have you all heard about the Priestess of Suzaku?"

"Yeah, what about her?" A man called while Nuriko and Aika watched.

"I'm here to tell you she's not from any nearby country or even a distant one! She's not from this world at all! She's come from another world entirely! It's obvious! The clothes she wears and the property she owns are unattainable in our world! And I'm going to sell this stuff to a few lucky buyers out there today!" Tamahome smiled at everyone.

"Come on! Show us what you've got!" Another man called.

"What does he have of mine?" Aika blinked a bit, wondering what it was she gave him. Tamahome then took out three sticks of gum making Aika anime fall. 'Oh yeah, the gum I gave him when we were in the cell before we pulled off that tiger charade,' she thought.

"This!" Tamahome said earning grins from everyone.

"So he kept that gum, every single piece," Aika mumbled.

"The price is one silver ryou each," Tamahome said to them.

"That's too expensive!"

"Take a look! Come on! Everyone, I wanna hear what you're going to offer me!" Tamahome said to them.

'Don't tell me all I am to him is a way of making easy money,' Aika thought sadly.

"Wait a minute! This doesn't make any sense! Yeah, I heard the Priestess of Suzaku's the Emperor's favorite. She's always with him, so how did you end up with her belongings?" A man asked. Nuriko grabbed him by the collar

"What are you trying to say, huh? Are you calling my friend a liar?!" Nuriko glared.

"How are we supposed to know if it's real or not, huh?" The man glared at her.

"Yeah! He might lie to us or something just to make a sale," another man agreed before Nuriko grabbed him by the collar as well.

"Can you prove to us it's genuine?" A man asked Tamahome.

"You're conning us, you crook!" A man called.

"Everything this man says is true!" Aika told everyone. She turned back to normal as everyone looked at her. "And all that stuff he has are things I gave him!" 'Might as well try to help him out.'

"Aika," Tamahome said surprised.

"That's them alright! The Priestess of Suzaku!" A man said before Tamahome ran up to the girl.

"Alright, folks. The line forms here for an autograph or handshake, you have to go through me. Step right up and bring your money pouch!" Tamahome grinned.

"And since when did you become my agent?!" Aika asked him.

"I remember him now. He's the guy I saw with the Priestess of Suzaku the other day," a man said.

"So it's good then?" The man asked him. Everyone started pretty much attacking Aika and Tamahome for the gum. Tamahome grabbed Aika's hand and led her out. Soon the two were leaning against a wall, panting.

"We made it out. We're safe," Tamahome said relieved.

"Y-yeah," Aika panted.

"W-why did you do that anyway?" Tamahome asked her, panting a bit yet.

"Because…am I bothering you in some way?" Aika asked, avoiding his gaze.

"I never said anything like that," Tamahome told her.

"Well, what do you think of me?" Aika asked looking at him with her brown eyes. Suddenly to men walked up.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we need to have a word with you," one of the men from earlier said. Tamahome then stood protectively in front of Aika.

"What's on your mind, buddy?" Tamahome glared.

"You gotta pay us a protection fee to work around here," the man replied holding a knife.

"Great, there's like that here too?" Aika whispered.

"Well, I don't have any money for that," Tamahome said, not scared of them.

"Well, if that's the case, we'll just have to take out in trade," the other man said before Aika was grabbed by a man.

"Oh, she's a real sweet one, isn't she, boys?" A man smirked.

"Yeah, boss," the first two guys smirked.

"Hey, baldy, let her go," Tamahome growled.

"Listen, don't fight it, comrade. Everything you see around here is my turf. One nod from me and your business in this city is finished for good. So then, what's it gonna be, pretty boy?" The boss smirked at him.

"About the girl, boss. I heard him say she's the Priestess of Suzaku," the first man said.

"Oh, is that so?" The boss smirked looking at Aika then back at Tamahome. "Let's work out a deal, kid. You know how the business works. We'll give you a square deal and we'll buy the girl off you for thirty gold ryou," he said bolding a pouch of ryou up. Nuriko was watching from afar.

"Those two are in big trouble. Uh, I'd like to help you out, guys, but this time, I don't think so," she said. Tamahome glared at the boss.

"Thirty gold ryou for her? Don't mess with me!" Tamahome shouted before holding up four fingers. "Forty gold ryou!" making everyone anime fall.

"Thirty-five!" The boss shouted before the two were glaring at each other.

"Thirty-nine!" Tamahome shouted back.

"Thirty-seven, you greedy punk!" The boss shouted back at him.

"She's worth forty, you cheap pick pocket!" Tamahome shouted.

'But Tamahome…why?' Aika thought stunned and sad before looking down.

"Are you too scared to look?" One the man holding her cackled.

"Oh, I'm not scared….I'm pissed!" Aika shouted before punching him. It's then Tamahome kicked the first two men behind him. It's then lightning struck, thunder rumbled, and rain fell. Tamahome stood there and glared at the men over his shoulder, his symbol glowing. The boss growled and drew his knife.

"Alright, I gave you a fair chance. I'll cut her up so no one gets her!" The boss said before going to attack Aika. Aika glared and was ready to attack him. As soon as the boss swiped, Aika was grabbed by Tamahome and tackled to the ground. Tamahome glared at the boss, revealing the cut on his cheek that started to bleed. Tamahome saw two of the other guys come and swiped his leg to knock them down before punching them. Aika was suddenly grabbed and pinned to the wall.

"Hey! Let me go, asshole!" Aika shouted getting Tamahome's attention. He threw some concrete at the man's head, knocking him out. Tamahome stood and looked at the boss who growled and went to attack him. Tamahome was ready and ducked at the swipe of the sword, punching the boss in the stomach while Ai did a high kick to the boss' head.

"There are some possessions that must never be sold for all of the fortunes in the world," Tamahome stated surprising the raven haired girl. Tamahome walked up to Aika and offered his hand.

"Come on, let's go," he said to her before she slapped his hand away.

"Get away! What are you thinking about?! Man, you're such an idiot! Now you can't do your job around here! And you're bleeding! You could have gotten yourself killed! For what?! What do you care what happens to me?!" Aika shouted at him. Tamahome turned his back to her.

"Come on."

"Not until you answer me," Aika glared

"It doesn't matter, does it?" Tamahome asked.

"To me it does! It does matter to me because I-I love you, you idiot!" Aika shouted before covering her mouth. 'I love him?'

"Well, sorry, I don't feel anything for you like that. I protect you because you're the Priestess. Our savior. Let's go now. The Emperor will be worried," Tamahome said to her.
"Tamahome…" Aika went to reach for him until she blacked out and collapsed.

"Just when all was safe, the Priestess of Suzaku collapsed to the ground," Naruto read. Tamahome ran over with worry.

"Oh no! What happened?! Aika, are you all right?! Aika! Please, Aika!" Tamahome tried to wake her up.

Kido: *Tries to pull Kida out of bed* Let go of the damn bed!

Kida: *Hold on to bed frame bars* No! Leave me alone! I'm sleepy!

Hotohori: Kido, don't you think your sister should sleep?

Kido: Nope! Twiny here needs to get her lazy ass up! *Continues pulling on sister's ankles*

Kida: *Growls* LET GO OF MY DAMN ANKLES OR I'LL KILL YOU IN YOUR SLEEP!

Kido: *Gulps and lets her go* Sleep well, sister dearest. *Runs out of room*

Kida: Wuss. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter. Please favorite and comment!