Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Beautiful Mine ❯ Established ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter 2: Established

The palace was quiet, almost too quiet. A flock of birds flew by and Teikani watched them out of her window. It had been a month since she'd come to Konan with Miaka. Her life her was simple, but she didn't mind. It was quite refreshing from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

Turning from the window, she returned to her little workstation. Not long after arriving in Konan, one of the seishi had grown sick. Physicians had been called, but Teikani had rushed to the scene. Her medical training paid off, as she had given Nuriko a drink of water. Little did anyone know, inside it contained a little known medicine for upset stomachs.

She grinned, thinking of it. 'Alka Seltzer to the rescue!' A giggle fell from her lips as she turned back to her work. Hotohori had been so impressed with what she had done, that he had given her a small workshop. She had been more than grateful, as she could continue her studies while Miaka found a way for them to get home and find Yui.

The past events had hurt her deeply, knowing how hard it had been for Miaka to face Yui. Something had happened to their blonde friend while she had been in Kutou-koku. Teikani frowned whenever she thought of it. What could have happened to Yui to make her turn against Miaka so badly?

The various physicians around the palace always seemed to look upon her with suspicion. They didn't trust her "strange ways" of doing things. Consequently, she was a sort of pariah in regards to them. They absolutely refused to allow her anywhere near Hotohori.

Sighing, she gathered her basket and shawl and left her quarters. It was time to go gather some more herbs. Her stores were becoming increasingly depleted. Despite the royal physician's avoidance of her, the rest of the palace (especially the harem) asked for her services on a regular basis.

Exiting her room, she skipped down the steps and headed for the edge of the river. It had become calm again and there was no danger in going near it.

She thought of the young man who had posed as the real Chiriko. Miaka had said his name was 'Amiboshi.' Her eyes gazed at the water as she knelt to begin picking the blossoms. 'So sad. Why is there so much death and pain here?'

* * *

"I AIN'T GOIN' AND YA CAN'T MAKE ME!!!!!!!"

This pronouncement was met with massive sweat drops. Tasuki crossed his arms over his chest and glared at his fellow seishi. There wasn't anyone in heaven or hell that was going to get him to go on any freakin' boat!

"Tasuki, we have been over this a million times. You are going!" Hotohori replied, his eyes challenging the former bandit to countermand him.

Tasuki opened his mouth but never go to express himself as Hotohori suddenly went rigid and collapsed to the floor.

"Hotohori-sama!!!!"

Nuriko shouldered the clinging advisors out of the way and knelt next to his friend and fellow seishi. He placed his hand on the young Emperor's forehead and hissed. "He's burning up!"

"Out of the way!" The head physician came running in, all but pushing the others away. Nuriko frowned, not liking this man's demeanor at all.

Four guards came in, lifting and carrying the Emperor from the throne room to his private quarters. The curtains were drawn back and Hotohori was placed in his bed. A low moan escaped his lips as he tossed and turned on the bed in pain.

The seishi looked at each other worriedly. What was wrong with him? He was fine a minute ago!

After hearing about Hotohori's illness, Miaka and Tamahome had rushed to his side. The word around the palace was that the Emperor had contracted a deadly illness and was on his deathbed.

Rushing in, Miaka and Tamahome stopped in their tracks. The room was filled with incense, a brazier filling the room with heat and smoke. Miaka coughed, nearly choking at the humid air. She glared at the physicians in attendance. "What are you trying to do?! Choke him to death?!"

The head physician glared, standing straight and tall. "I beg your pardon, Miko-sama. But you do not know how to care for the sick. I do."

"Excuse me?! How dare you!" Miaka growled, her eyes glaring at him in anger. He flinched, but held his ground. She could feel Tamahome's body tighten in anger from behind her. Putting a hand on his arm, she shook her head. "We need someone who is actually competent!!" The last was thrown at the physician, who bristled. "Someone needs to get Tei…"

"I'll go." Nuriko replied, standing from his chair near Hotohori's bed. He no longer wore the woman's clothing he used to wear. He was dressed in a tunic and pants, his long purple braid falling over his shoulder. He smiled reassuringly at Miaka before leaving. He didn't particularly like the physicians himself.

He passed various guards and servants on his way to Teikani's room. He rolled his eyes as he heard the gossip. It quickly went from Hotohori having a cold to him being on his deathbed. A snort fell from his lips as he stood before Teikani's rooms. He fidgeted, and then knocked. After a few moments, he frowned. There wasn't any answer.

Sliding the door open a bit, he poked his head in. "Teikani-san?" The room was empty. He frowned, looking around. He noticed that various plant bins were open, waiting to be filled. 'She must have left to forage for plants…I've seen her do it before.'

Closing the door, he bounded down the steps and towards the river.

* * *

Teikani sat at the river's edge, her fingers combing through various plants. Her fingers caressed the plant in her hands, testing the texture and consistency. She had found that all of the plants she was familiar with also existed in this world. That was the strangest thing of all to her.

The grass rustled behind her and she started. She'd been so engrossed in her discovery of a new plant that she had neglected to keep a look out around her.

"Teikani-san?" A voice called out and she breathed a sigh of relief. At least the person knew her, or knew of her. It was probably some soldier wanting some stomach medicine.

"Hai?"

Nuriko sighed, heading in the direction of the voice. He stopped, coming just upon her. He blinked, biting his lip. How was it that even working, she was beautiful? Shaking his head to clear it, he smiled at her. "I'm glad I found you! Hotohori-sama needs your medical knowledge. Miaka wanted me to find you and have you look at him…"

She nodded brusquely, standing. She brushed off the excess dirt from her work dress. Replacing the small bits of leaves into her knapsack, she nodded to him. "Hai. Let's go. What are his symptoms?"

"Er…" Nuriko wracked his brain trying to think of what happened exactly. "He's been complaining about his stomach hurting…"

"What's he been eating? Drinking?"

"Just the regular stuff…and lots of water lately. The wine vats in the cellar broke."

"Hmmm…" She frowned, leading the way back to the Emperor's quarters.

Nuriko stopped, letting her get ahead of him a little bit. He watched her walk ahead of him, talking to herself about possible treatments. He couldn't help but watch her; she fascinated him. He knew she was one of Miaka's friends, along with Yui. Ever since she had arrived, he had watched her. She'd never known, of course. There was just something about her…. something that called out to him.

Shaking his head, he followed her into Hotohori's chambers.