Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ ~Crimson Wings~ A Tale of Suzaku ❯ Meia ( Chapter 1 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

~Crimson Wings~ A Tale of Suzaku

Chapter Two: Meia

Disclaimer: Watase Yuu owns the FY peeps! Not me!!

------------------------------

Knock knock.

"Hotohori-sama? Are you awake?"

My eyes slightly opened when a light tapping at the door and a voice
awakened me the next day. I could feel the warm morning sunlight on my
face, as I lay there wrapped in blankets, barely realizing where I
was.

My memory was still rather hazy from yesterday's events, and the
night's sleep didn't make it any better. I tried to remember what
happened and what exactly it was that brought me here to the mortal
world. One after the other, I played back everything that happened
recently: getting ready for bed last night, talking to Tamahome, the
long walk back to the palace (what was Hotohori doing outside in the
first place?) and before that was...what happened before...

I couldn't remember anything else. Before my walk to the palace, all
was a blank.

Again, I heard the knocking at the door, but this time it was a bit
louder. I thought of getting up from bed but something kept me from
doing that; I was just too comfortable where I was. Instead, I rolled
over on my side and pulled the blanket up to my chin to sleep some
more.

After a moment of silence and just when I thought the person knocking
had left, I heard the soft creaking of the door opening. Then there
were soft footsteps of someone entering the room.

"Hotohori."

"Mmmmm..." was my reply.

I felt a hand gently shake my shoulder. "Hotohori-sama, it's time to
wake up."

Turning my head just a bit and slitting one eye open, I saw someone
with fluffy purple hair large eyes staring back at me. Nuriko.

With an agonized groan, I turned around and covered my head with a
pillow, hoping that he would go away and leave me alone. For me it
wasn't time to get up.

But Nuriko wasn't giving up so easily. "C'mon now, let's rise and
shine. Your meeting with the shogun and governor is less than two
hours from now. You have to start getting ready!"

"ButI don'wanto...," my words slurred together.

Suddenly I felt like I was being lifted up and carried, as if I were
floating in my dream. I felt myself drifting back into a deep slumber,
until--

GYYYAAAAAAAHHH!!!!

--a bucket of ice cold water was dumped on my face.

"Wha--?! What the--!!" My eyes snapped open and I looked around to see
that I was now in the washroom with Tamahome by my side holding a
bucket. He handed me a washcloth and a bar that smelled of flowers and
stuff like that were by my side. Nuriko, who was carrying me, set me
on a chair, grinning triumphantly.

"Ah, you're awake. Hurry and wash up--I'll get you something nice to
wear." And with that, he left the room.

"Don't forget to look extra nice today," said Tamahome, a mischievous
grin spreading across his lips. "For the shogun's daughter and all..."

I looked at him confused. The shogun's daughter? What did she have to
do with me? Or the emperor actually...

After the scrubbing, dressing up, and fixing my hair, the others
rushed me out onto the balcony to catch some fresh air and to wait
until the shogun arrived. I was glad to leave the confusion stirring
within the temple; everywhere servants were cleaning up and already
preparing the midday meal, which would be served while the visitors
were here.

Deep in my thoughts, I walked along the balcony wondering what I
should do next. Should I leave the palace now? If I was then how would
I do it? I couldn't just get up and walk out the gates. If I still had
my shape shifting powers, I could easily do that; but ever since I
found myself in Hotohori's body, almost all of my powers were gone. It
was going to take some time before they would be completely restored.
I had to do something soon. But what?

My thoughts were interrupted when I heard someone approaching from
around the corner behind me. Quickly turning my head, I saw a
beautiful young woman walking towards me. Her chestnut hair cascaded
over her shoulders in long waves and her eyes were the perfect shade
of green; she was a perfect model of what a goddess would look like.
As she came closer, I only hoped that she couldn't hear the pounding
in my chest.

"Good morning," she said.

Relieved that I wasn't wearing my hat at the moment, I bowed my head.
"Good morning, miss."

The young woman laughed lightly. Did I do something wrong?

"Hotohori, you know who I am!" she said.

I blinked in confusion trying to search in the back of memory, who she
was. Being a god and protector of the country, I knew everyone in
Konan; it was strange that I was not familiar with the general's
daughter.

When I didn't answer, she smiled and took my hand in hers. "Are you
nervous about today?"

"Err...yeah, kind of." I felt a twinge of dismay as she stroked one of
my silky brown locks; I was starting to miss my much shorter red hair.

"You're looking distinguished today," she said as I felt her slim
fingers lightly touch my face. I have to admit that I kind of liked
it. "Don't worry about it; I'm sure that my father and the guards can
handle everything."

I wished I knew what she was talking about but I knew better than to
ask; I would just have to wait until the meeting. Hopefully by then, I
would pick up on what was going on. At the moment, what I really was
wondering was who she was? The emperor wasn't married, and by the
elegant clothing she was no servant. She must be very close to the
emperor by the way she was looking at me. Not that I really minded
though.

For some strange reason, when she looked up into my eyes, my gaze
faltered and I felt my face grow warm. What did that mean?

Suddenly from behind us the door burst open and there, holding a tray
displaying a teacup and saucer, Nuriko stood smiling widely. "The
shogun will be here soon, Hori-sama. I brought you some tea--"

When his eyes fell on the young woman next to me, his jaw dropped open
and his eyes grew ten times wider. "Wh--what's she doing here?!" he
demanded.

The woman looked at Nuriko questioningly. "You didn't know? I've been
here since last night."

Just when I thought it wasn't possible, Nuriko's eyes grew even wider
and almost dropping the tray he was carrying.

Tamahome emerged from the same door as Nuriko did, and grinned at the
young girl. "Morning, Meia. Did you have any trouble sleeping last
night too? Sorry about that, Tasuki had a little too much to drink
last night. He can get pretty rowdy."

So that was her name? Meia? How lovely.

Before Meia could even reply, Nuriko steered Tamhome through another
hall and into another room, closing the door behind them. Even though
they were at a good distance, I could still hear them.

"No one told me she was here!" I heard Nuriko scream.

"Shut up Nuriko!" said Tamahome. "Chiriko's tryin' to read."

A young child's voice spoke up, supposedly Chiriko's. "We didn't dare
tell you, Nuriko-san. We agreed not to say anything because we all
know how much you hate her."

Tamahome chuckled. "Nuriko's always getting jealous over women close
to Hotohori. You should have seen him when he first met Miaka! He even
tried to drown her once at the river! I need to tell you about that
one--it's hilari--."

I heard a loud thump and a roar from Tamahome. "Damnit Nuriko! That
was my head!!"

"Listen! That stuff between Miaka and I was over a long time ago--this
is different! This is war!"

"Give it up, Nuriko--you can't try fighting back this one! She's his
fiancée!"

I stopped short when I heard that, and looked at the young woman close
to me. She was going to marry Hotohori? So that explained why she was
so affectionate with me.

Just then, I felt an unfamiliar tug within me. It was something that I
could not describe well--like a dull aching pain in my chest. What was
it? Sadness? Remorse? Jealousy? Nah. These were human emotions that I
never had to experience myself before, and I doubted I would start
now. I shrugged it off and the pain disappeared.

Just then, Miaka emerged from the hallway dressed in her robes instead
of the usual school uniform, appearing to be looking for someone. When
she saw me, she smiled and bowed her head. "Hotohori, the shogun's
here."

I followed the others inside clumsily tripping over the step; I wasn't
getting used to walking at all. I had to get out of this body and back
into my true form as soon as possible. I had to get out of here--fast.

That's done! Finally... Please take a few seconds to vote or review.
I've only got one so far and I'm sure there are more people than that
who have time to respond. I need some feedback people; otherwise I
have no clue what my audience thinks. An author who doesn't know what
their audience thinks, is a sad author. That was kinda dumb. -__-

I'll start working on the third chapter! Later!