Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ Legend ~ Book One: Girl of Legend ❯ Seventeen: Wherein Our Heroine Sulks & Finally Gets Somewhere ( Chapter 17 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

   Three days later, Tamahome tapped on KC's door, opened it and cautiously poked his head through. "Are you awake?" he asked. Receiving an affirmative grunt, he stepped into the room, arms laden with a tray of food.

   "Are you taking over for my maid now?" KC asked grumpily from her huddled-up position on the bed.

   "Are you still sulking?" he shot back.

   "I'm a teenager. It's my prerogative."

   He ignored her and set the tray on the table. "Your fever's gone down, hasn't it? You should get out of that bed before you start growing things. Fresh air will do you good."

   "Hmmph."

   He sighed. "KC, I know you're upset with His Majesty right now, but for Suzaku's sake, get over it."

   KC glared, wounded that Tamahome seemed to be on his side. "I trusted him, and he turned around and stabbed me in the back. I thought he was trying to help me, but all he did was use me to get what he wanted! Don't I have the right to be mad at him for it? And if he lied to me about this, what else has he lied about?"

   Tamahome offered a stern frown, much the same way her mother did whenever she acted particularly obstinate. "Do you really believe Hotohori is the kind of person to deliberately deceive someone?" he asked. "Do you think he's that dishonest?"

   She pouted down at the covers.

   He sighed. "You don't even realize how much he's hurting right now. He thinks you hate him. The entire palace is in an uproar. He's barely eaten for days, he's been absentminded and unable to focus on his duties. There's speculation that he's dying of some illness. If you'd just talk to him and let him know that you don't hate him, I'm sure he'd be back to normal in no time."

   KC finally looked up, eyes narrowed. "You know what would make me feel better?" she asked tightly. "An apology. From him to me. For lying to me, whether he meant to or not. Maybe, if he actually came back and told me he was sorry, I'd find it a lot easier to believe that he was."

   Tamahome snorted, shaking his head. "You clearly don't understand how the monarchy works," he replied. "Whether he's in the wrong or not, Hotohori is the emperor. An emperor never makes mistakes. Therefore, an emperor must never apologize for the mistakes he never makes."

   KC's jaw dropped ever-so-slightly as she tried to process the information. "But that's … just stupid!" she finally sputtered. "He's also a human being, and humans make mistakes constantly! It's impossible for one man to be guiltless of any wrongdoing. That'd make him like … like God, or something!"

   "Exactly." Tamahome shrugged. "In this world, aside from the Priestess—That's you, in case you forgot—the emperor is the link between the gods and the people. Hotohori speaks for Suzaku, on behalf of his people. That makes him the next thing to a god in their eyes."

   She scowled. "Doesn't mean he's right," she mumbled.

   "In case you failed to notice, Hotohori possesses an excessive amount of pride. Even for you, I doubt he'd be able to overcome years of instruction on how to be an emperor, no matter how sorry he is on the inside. Whether you like it or not, it's up to you to fix it. If you really care about him, you'll try to understand his position a little more." Tamahome reached out to give her a brotherly pat on the shoulder. "I expect to see you out of this room today, or I'll get Nuriko to come and bully you into going out, got that? He's a little upset at you, too, for sending his precious emperor into such a bout of depression. I'm sure he'd be glad to help me."

   KC pulled a face at him, but she slowly slid out of the bed and made her way to the table, a little more unsteadily than Tamahome liked to see. He frowned and pressed a hand against her forehead. "Are you sure you're feeling okay?" he asked in concern. "Has your fever come back?"

   She irritably batted his hand away. "If I tell you I'm dying, will you leave me alone?" she grumped. "I'm just worn out, is all. And I want my mom, and Brady and Kimi and—" She choked on the rest of the words as an unexpected sob tried to escape.

   Tamahome sighed and pulled her into his arms, held her tightly as he stroked her hair soothingly. "It's okay," he whispered. "We'll get you home again, somehow. Only four more Seishi to find, right? Konan isn't that big a country, so it shouldn't be too hard. I mean, look how easy it was to find us! We practically fell into your lap." He smiled at her slightly watery giggle. "For now, just worry about getting your strength back, okay?" She managed a wavering smile and a slight nod, and he nodded back before he released her and backed toward the door. "I'll see you later," he told her. Then, as he opened the door, he looked over his shoulder and flashed her a saucy wink. "But before then, I'd suggest you take a bath. You really need one. Phew!"

   He laughed at her outraged screech and slammed the door just in time to avoid the bowl she furiously hurled at his head.

~*~*~*~*~

   After she followed Tamahome's advice (no matter how rudely he'd put it) and took a long, relaxing soak, KC felt much more like herself again. She decided to take a leisurely stroll through the grounds, lest Tamahome make good on his threat to sic Nuriko on her, and found herself wandering aimlessly along the stream again in the direction of the lake. It occurred to her that it might be a good opportunity to check out the gazebo she'd seen on the water before. She hadn't had a chance to take a look yet.

   However, upon reaching the bridge that connected the little island to the shore, she saw that somebody was already in the gazebo, silently gazing over the water. It didn't take long to recognize Hotohori's familiar stance, and she almost turned around then and there. She was still angry at him for his deceit, but Tamahome's words stayed her feet, and after a moment's hesitation, she heaved a sigh and slowly made her way across the long bridge.

   She must have approached more quietly than she thought, for the emperor didn't seem to notice her presence directly behind him, close enough to reach out and tug on his loosed hair. He didn't respond even when she moved to the railing beside him, leaned on it and cast glances at him from the corner of her eye as she waited for his acknowledgment. When several more moments had passed and he still didn't deign to look at her, she began to grow irritated. Either he was even more out of it than Tamahome had claimed, or he was simply ignoring her.

   "I don't suppose you can give me one good reason why I should keep my promise," she began and was immensely satisfied to see him jump, thoroughly startled. "I mean, I was deceived," she continued amiably, "so I think it's only fair to revoke my part of the deal, too." She glanced up at him, and Hotohori gazed back through wide eyes, stunned speechless.

   She sighed heavily and rested her forehead on her crossed arms. "Still, even if I got home without this whole summoning business, I'd only feel guilty about not helping you when I promised I would, even if I was tricked into it," she grumbled. "I guess that makes me a sucker. But I don't want to be a liar or a coward. So, I guess if you really need me to do this, I won't back out on you. Just don't lie to me anymore, okay? It really hurt me. And I want to trust you again."

   She straightened and brushed her hands together in a that's-that gesture, and would have turned to leave, except she found herself being folded into Hotohori's embrace from behind, his arms coming around her so tightly that she found it hard to breathe. He buried his face into her still-damp hair, breath warm and deep against her neck. A thrill of goosebumps shivered over her skin, all the way down to her toes. "Thank you," he whispered into her ear, voice tight with barely-veiled emotion. "Thank you. I never—I truly never meant to deceive you. Please do not doubt me. Do not doubt the regard I hold you in. Forgive me for—"

   "That's weird," KC cut in. She found it difficult to speak around the sudden lump in her throat, had to swallow a few times, blinked a few more until she could steady herself. "Someone just told me that emperors aren't supposed to apologize for their mistakes. Because they never make mistakes."

   Hotohori lifted his head to look at her, eyes dark and hazy and gentle. "Emperors do not make mistakes," he agreed as he threaded his fingers into her hair, "but mortal men do. And a true man will fall to his knees and beg forgiveness when he has deeply hurt the one he loves most."

   KC melted. "Well, damn it. Now I'll have to forgive you after an apology like that. You fight dirty," she snorted as a smile twitched her lips. She felt his chest rumble against her back with soft laughter as he pulled her close again, and a flutter of soft kisses ghosted over her cheek and brow.

   Neither of them noticed a slight, willowy figure slip away from the scene, the proud stature and immaculate attire belying the expression of hopelessness and glitter of tears in red-violet eyes.

~*~*~*~*~

   When KC finished her walk and returned to her room for a nap, she was surprised to find Mei Lin busily packing her belongings into her backpack, beside which rested another open pack containing what looked to be a pile of neatly folded clothing. She stopped dead in her tracks, blinked and glanced around before asking uncertainly, "Uhhh … am I going somewhere?"

   Mei Lin looked up in surprise. "Why, yes," she replied. "Are you not traveling to the Holy Mountain to seek the Creator of the World? I was instructed to pack your things and have you ready to leave first thing in the morning."

   KC's jaw dropped. "Y-you mean they're actually gonna take me to see Taiitsukun?" she squeaked. "I get to go home?"

   "Does your health not require you to return to your world for a short awhile?" Mei Lin asked, uncertain. "In order to recover more quickly, I mean."

   KC gaped for a moment. "I'll be right back." She bolted from the room, headed straight to Tamahome's quarters and unceremoniously threw open the door. "Tama! Is it true? Are we … really going … to … look for … erm … look for…" Her words slowly trailed off while her face quickly turned red, as she took in the sight of Tamahome sitting at his table.

   The table that was littered with dice, piles of coins, and the various articles of clothing and weaponry belonging to the exact same group of guards she'd met before. All of whom were in various states of undress, Tamahome included. She stared at them for a few moments, while they stared back and some of the less fortunate players did their best to hide behind their comrades.

   KC finally shook herself out of her stupor, cleared her throat and licked her lips. "Well. This is awkward."

   "Uh … huh." Tamahome cleared his throat, as well.

   "Strip poker?" She raised a skeptical eyebrow.

   "Well … they ran out of money."

   "I see."

   "…"

   "So. Why don't I just go … step outside for a bit while you fellows … eh … get dressed."

   "Good idea!"

   "Yep."

   "Er … Can I have my sword back?"

   "Hell, no!"

   "Awww…"

   KC hurriedly shut the door on their banter and sternly reminded herself to knock before she barged into a man's room unannounced. She glanced back and shuddered slightly. Especially that man's room, she amended, whilst attempting to put the memory of several not-so-attractive, half-naked men out of her mind.

~*~*~*~*~

   It was hardly the buttcrack of dawn, and yet KC, for some inexplicable reason, found herself in the middle of the courtyard with her packs at her feet, dressed in a simple traveling ensemble with a blanket draped around her shoulders (it was cold out there, darn it!), a serious case of bedhead, and a scowl fierce enough to melt rock on her sleepy face.

   "Whose lamebrain idea was it to drag us out of bed in the middle of the friggin night?" she complained loudly and jumped back just in time to keep a pack-laden servant—who apparently did not possess the ability to see in near darkness—from colliding with her. She scowled crossly at his back and fought the urge to kick a pebble at his head, or to turn around and stalk back to her room and barricade herself inside until a more normal waking time. Like a few hours past high noon.

   She had never been much of a before-the-crack-of-dawn type of person.

   Her only consolation came in the form of Tamahome and Nuriko, who actually looked worse than she did. They, too, had dressed in simple traveling garments, but they looked like zombies standing there, hair still mussed and clearly half-asleep. Hotohori, however, looked disgustingly bright-eyed and chipper for it being the middle of the night. KC was forced to remind herself that this was probably a normal waking hour for him, and that yanking out his perfect hair would not improve her current mood (by very much). He had traded in his royal robes and crown for a pair of plain cotton pants and a long red tunic. His ever-present sword was belted at his side, the hilt wrapped in strips of linen to disguise its fine workmanship and the royal seal engraved into the pommel. His hair was tied to hang loosely down his back, and although he was obviously trying to disguise his royal blood, KC couldn't help but think he looked far more like a king dressed as a pauper. She'd been honestly surprised to learn that he planned to tag along. Didn't rulers have to stay at home and … rule or something?

   "The sooner we leave for the mountain the sooner we'll get there," Tamahome was telling her. "You wanna go home, right?"

   KC nodded and rubbed at her eyes again. "I just wish there was such a thing as espresso in this place," she grumbled.

   "What's espresso?" Nuriko asked sleepily as he stumbled his way over.

   "Coffee," she replied around a yawn, "with like ten times the amount of caffeine."

   "So what's coffee?" Tamahome questioned.

   KC snorted faintly. "Something you don't have here."

   Their conversation was interrupted by the timely arrival of four servants, each of whom led a saddled horse from the stables. KC eyed their arrival with acute mistrust and a sense of rising dread. Hotohori noticed her uneasy expression. "What is the matter?"

   "Uh … I suppose these guys are for us to ride, huh?" KC nodded at the fidgeting horses.

   "No, they're here to see us off. Wave goodbye now," Nuriko deadpanned.

   "Hush, Nuriko," Hotohori scolded. "KC, what's wrong? You look a little ill. Is your fever coming back?"

   "No, I'm fine. It's just… The thing is, I can't ride a horse," she admitted nervously.

   Tamahome blinked at her. "What do you mean, you can't ride a horse?"

   She shrugged. "I can't ride a horse," she repeated. "Did I stutter?"

   Tamahome and Nuriko looked at each other. "Have you ever tried?" Nuriko asked curiously.

   KC shivered and pulled the blanket more tightly around herself. "I did once," she said grudgingly. "When I was five years old, my parents took me to visit a horse farm, and my dad thought it would be lots of fun to stick me on top of one of the Clydesdales to take pictures."

   "And what is a Clydesdale?" Hotohori pronounced the unfamiliar name carefully.

   "One of the biggest, meanest pieces of horse meat ever to be born," she told him earnestly. "They're at least eighteen feet high, and they have teeth the size of my hand. And what's worse, they can smell fear. Soon as my dad stuck me on its back, it turned around and tried to take my head off! Woulda got it, too, if I hadn't fallen off the other side. I swear it must've taken me two minutes just to hit the ground. Broke my left arm and bruised my tailbone so badly I couldn't sit right for a week. And I haven't been near a horse since."

   Tamahome snorted. "You're exaggerating. There's no such thing as an eighteen-foot-high horse," he scoffed.

   "There is to a five-year-old!" she protested. "At any rate, I can't ride a horse and I'd rather walk all over the country than get anywhere near one of the nasty monsters, even if it takes a year."

   Nuriko sighed. "What shall we do, Sire? We certainly can't walk the whole way there. What would we do with our supplies?"

   KC snickered. "You're tough enough for a whole team of horses. It wouldn't be any trouble if you carted them around," she goaded.

   He glared daggers at her, and only Hotohori's presence kept him from tossing her through the nearest wall.

   "Think there's time to teach her a few basics of riding?" Tamahome questioned.

   "No way!" KC yelped. "No. Nada. Nein! No, no, no!"

   "No?" Tamahome grinned and raised an eyebrow.

   "I'm sorry, should I rephrase? Not a snowflake's chance in hell!" she snapped.

   Hotohori thought for a moment, then shrugged. "I suppose there's no help for it," he replied. He sounded suspiciously cheerful. "If KC cannot ride a horse of her own, and we have no time to teach her, I suppose it is only logical that she ride with one of us. As my mount is the strongest, I shall volunteer."

   KC's eyes widened. "Whoa, whoa, whoa. Didn't you hear me?" she cried. "I said I'm not gonna riiieeeyyy—" Her complaint ended on a squeal as Tamahome grabbed her waist and lifted her onto the back of Hotohori's mount, sidesaddle. "Hey!" she yelped indignantly as the Seishi stepped back with an evil smirk, and her shout startled the stallion, who snorted and shifted uneasily. She yelped again and struggled to maintain her balance by gripping the white mane before Hotohori smoothly swung into the saddle behind her. He calmed the nervous beast with practiced ease, offered the Priestess an innocent smile when she glared at him. "There now. This isn't so bad," he soothed. "Just relax. I promise I'll not let you fall."

   "Oh, you're just loving this, aren't you?" she grumbled as he pulled her closer to his chest. His arms came around her to grip the reins, the side of her leg pressed to his, enveloping her in warmth. He made a noncommittal sound in his throat as a small smile twitched his lips. She noticed he made no attempt to deny the accusation.

   A servant lashed her two packs to the saddle behind them and a third smaller pack belonging to Hotohori.

   "Guess it's true what they say, that a woman can never go anywhere without taking half her wardrobe with her," Nuriko teased.

   KC shot him a dry glance and pointedly raised an eyebrow at the four very large and bulging packs he'd lashed to his saddle. "Am I the only one who gets the complete irony of that statement?" she deadpanned as Tamahome tried (and failed) to choke back a laugh.

   The servant stepped away with a bow. "Everything is ready, Your Majesty," he said. "Please have a safe journey." He bowed again at Hotohori's regal nod, and then he and the other servants slipped away with the last horse between them.

   One of Hotohori's advisors next raced up to them. He staggered to a halt, panting hard from the effort. "Sire, I must beg you to reconsider your decision to leave the palace," he huffed. "Surely you must realize how dangerous this is! The emperor, traveling alone through unknown wilderness … and with the Priestess of Suzaku, no less, and with what could barely be considered a proper entourage! You are bound to attract unwanted attention. Even if you should disguise yourself there is no way to hide your natural beauty and grace! People shall know who you are at once!"

   Hotohori laughed heartily. "Yes, this is very true," he agreed with an approving nod. KC shot him an incredulous look, then discreetly rolled her eyes and stuck a finger in her mouth in a show of disgust. Tamahome choked back another laugh as Nuriko shot her a dirty look. "It is quite impossible to hide who I am," the emperor continued vainly, "but I am also a Seishi, and I gave my word that I would accompany Her Eminence to Taiitsukun. We three should be more than adequate to protect her should trouble arise."

   The advisor looked as though he was about to protest again, but KC hurriedly cut in, "Oh, don't worry, I'm sure we'll be fine. After all, Suzaku is watching over us, right? I am the Priestess after all, aren't I?" She gave him the biggest puppy-eyed look she could muster. "Do you think he'd really let anything bad happen to the savior of his country?"

   "I—Well, no, of course not, but—" the man stammered, clearly unable to argue in the face of such … cuteness.

   "Then you see, there is nothing to worry about." Hotohori offered the poor man a sparkling smile. "We shall be there and back again in no time. Until then, please do your best to look after things here. I place my trust in you."

   "Of course, Your Majesty," the advisor replied humbly, bowing low. "I shall do my best to take charge in your absence."

   "Then, if there is nothing more to be said, allow us to be off." Hotohori flicked the reins to urge his horse forward. Tamahome and Nuriko quickly followed, and in no time at all they had left the palace estate and were making their way through the vast capital city to take the Priestess home.