Fushigi Yuugi Fan Fiction ❯ The Next Act in a Mysterious Play ❯ A New Warrior, A New Mission ( Chapter 3 )

A few hours later, Katsura, led by the ladies Hotohori had sent, appeared in the

imperial dinning hall dressed in a lavish green silk dress trimmed with gold that set off her fiery

red hair. As she entered, Hotohori, Kurotaki, and his advisors all stood. Hotohori then sat her

across from him, at Kurotaki's left.

 

"You look lovely, priestess," Kurotaki said as everyone was seated.

 

"Thank you," Katsura blushed. "The gown is beautiful. I feel much better now. But, I

have to admit, it was a little odd having the ladies wash me. No one's done that since I was

seven."

 

At this, all the men blushed. Katsura realized that her comment had made them all

feel very awkward.

 

"But that's beside the point," she quickly laughed with embarrassment. "On to

business!"

 

Everyone then relaxed just as food was being set on the table.

 

"Oh, this smells absolutely delicious," Kat cried as the aromas wafted through the air.

 

"So what exactly is wrong with the empire, your majesty?"

 

Kurotaki sighed deeply, "Unfortunately, it is not just Konan. All four empires are on the

brink of war with each other."

 

"WHAT?! How can that be?"

 

"We are not quite sure. Everything started out as simple squabbling between common

people, and over the past few months, things have escalated. No two countries trust each

other. If there is anything to fight over, it is found and used."

 

"And what about Konan?" Katsura asked while taking a bite of fish. "Has this empire

participated in the arguments as well?"

 

"Royally, I do not believe so. As emperor, I have tried my best to keep peace and

make friends with the neighboring countries. But, they will not have it. The other emperors feel

I am being dishonest and that I am attempting to set a trap. They cannot see why I would

extend them the hand of courtesy. And, more unfortunately, the people of Konan are not

helping matters. They think badly of the other countries for their squabbling and consequently

look down upon them and treat them poorly, worsening relations."

 

"Oh dear. That's horrible. Have there been any peace talks at all?"

 

"None. Only threats of war. It will, no doubt, come soon if action is not taken. Already

there have been numerous riots among the people. Suzaku forbid any person step foot in

another country without disguise. Even here in Konan, foreigners are being mistreated, as I

said."

 

"So what is it exactly that you wish me to do?"

 

"Now that you are here, you can fine the celestial warriors and summon Suzaku once

more. You could wish for peace."

 

Katsura smiled at his words and thought to herself, "From the sounds of it, any other

emperor would have me wish for victory in war, but he asks for peace. He would make his

grandfather proud."

 

Before she could agree with the idea, shouts were heard coming from the hall.

 

"Stop! Thief!"

 

Rounding the corner and running straight into Katsura, who had stood up with

everyone else at the unexpected racket, was a dirty figure in filthy torn clothes followed by two

royal guards and who appeared to be a cook. The tiny person clutched to Katsura, shaking

with fear.

 

"We're sorry for the intrusion, your highness. But this person stole something from the

kitchen," the cook spoke up.

 

"This person is a child!" Katsura spat fiercely as she got to her knees to inspect the

theif, who appeared to be a little girl. "Hello there. It's okay. They won't hurt you. Did you take

something that didn't belong to you?"

 

The girl nodded her head meekly and held something out. When Katsura took it and

saw what it was she stood up with the look of a mother grizzly bear protecting her cub.

 

"A moldy piece of bread! You chased down this poor child for a moldy piece of

bread?" she shrieked as she threw the bread at the cook. "This could not have been fed to the

emperor anyway. What possible reason could you have had for this bread that you would scare

a little girl half to death for taking it?"

 

"Who are you to question me? That brat should not have been in my kitchen," the

cook retorted, turning red.

 

"She is the priestess of Suzaku," Hotohori walked to Katsura's side and stared the

cook in the eye, "and you would do well never to forget that. Do you think so poorly of your

emperor, my brother, to suggest that he would not have a hungry child fed?"

 

The cook quickly dropped to his knees. "Never, Prince Hotohori! I beg you, forgive me!

I did not know. My apologies, priestess."

 

"Good. Now return to the kitchens where you belong," Hotohori commanded. "Do not

ever let this happen again. Guards, you are dismissed."

 

Once they were gone, Emperor Kurotaki walked over and marveled at the site before

him.

 

"My child, how long has it been since you have eaten?"

 

"I don't know," she squeaked.

 

"How horrible. Do your parents not feed you?"

 

"I have no parents."

 

Kurotaki did not know what to say to this, he was so stunned.

 

"You poor thing," Kat spoke softly as she took the child's hand. "You come with me.

I'll clean you up and we'll get some nice warm food in your belly. Does that sound okay to

you?"

 

Looking at Kat with bewildered eyes, the girl smiled meekly and nodded.

 

"Could you have a tub, some clothes, and some food sent to my room please?" Kat

looked up at Kurotaki.

 

"It will be done immediately," he smiled with approval.

***

"Lost. I'm so totally lost," Katsura muttered as she sped threw the palace. "Why

couldn't Grandmother and Grandpa have included a map of the palace with their stories?"

 

*Thump*

 

Before she knew it, Kat collided with something around the corner and fell on top of it.

When she opened her eyes, she found herself nose to nose with Hotohori. Quickly, she

jumped off. Both of them looked extremely embarrassed as they got up.

 

"I'm sorry, Hotohori."

 

"Don't worry about it. I was coming to check on you actually. My brother wishes to

know how the little girl is doing."

 

Kat's eyes lit up as she then remembered why she had been running.

 

"That's what I was trying to find you two for. The girl, she's a celestial warrior!"

 

Hotohori couldn't believe his ears.

 

"How can you be certain? She's only a child."

 

"Chiriko was only thirteen when he fought with my grandparents. And even you were

still a warrior at her age. Why not her? I noticed the mark of the ogre on her stomach when

she came out of the bath. I'm sure of it!"

 

"This is wonderful. We must inform Kurotaki immediately."

 

Hotohori then snatched up Katsura's hand and started running with her in tow.

 

"His hand is so strong and warm," Kat thought to herself as they ran. "And his

face...it was so close to mine. Why am getting all tingly thinking about it?"

 

She didn't have time to think anymore before the two burst through the doors of the

throne room and were before Kurotaki.

 

"Brother, the second celestial warrior has been found!" Hotohori cried.

 

"Is it true?! Where is he?" the emperor stood amazed.

 

"Not 'he,' your majesty," Kat spoke up. "SHE is the little girl who stole the bread."

 

"How..?"

 

"I believe I saw the mark of the ogre on her stomach when she got out of the tub. I

haven't questioned her about it. She's asleep right now. I thought we could ask her when she

wakes up."

 

"This is truly amazing, your majesty," one of the advisors gasped. "Already Suzaku

has granted you a priestess and two warriors since you prayed just this morning."

 

Kurotaki sat on his thrown.

 

"You are correct. Surely Suzaku wishes us to summon him. We should summon any

people in the land with character marks."

 

"If I may," Kat raised her hand, "I don't think that will work. Most likely a lot of glory

hounds will show up with marks just painted on their bodies. We don't have that time. Plus, is

the other countries were to hear, they would think we are summoning Suzaku to attack them.

It would further hinder our cause."

 

"You speak wisely, Priestess."

"Please, call me Katsura," she blushed.

 

"Katsura," Kurotaki nodded, "do you have any suggestions as to what we should?"

 

"Not a clue."

 

“We should consult Taitsukun on Mount Taikyoku," Hotohori suggested.

 

"Awe!" Kat gasped. "That would be perfect. I've always wanted to see Mount Taikyoku. Grandpa Tamahome told it about it many times."

 

"While I agree, brother, that Taitsukun would surely be helpful," Kurotaki interjected, "the trip would be too dangerous with only one warrior."

 

"But we have two warriors now," Kat pointed out.

 

"Possibly. We do not know for certain though if it is a true mark of Suzaku that resides on the girl's stomach."

 

"It is," a childish voice came from behind.

 

They all turned to see the little girl from earlier bound into the room playfully and looking much better than before. Her green hair was done up in two buns, with a sprig of hair pointing out of each like horns. Her new clothes of red, white, and black fit her perfectly as well.

 

"You're talking about this, right," she lifted her shirt to expose a bright red ogre symbol just above her navel.

 

"The mark of Suzaku! So you are a celestial warrior," Kurotaki stammered.

 

"I guess. By the way, thank you, your majesty, for treating me so nicely after I stole

from you. I apologize for that. I have a tendency to go with gut instinct, rather than think things out before I do them."

 

"No apology is needed. I'm ashamed that there would be a starving child in my kingdom. Sadly, while I try to provide for my people, it can not always be done."

 

"Well, may be you can help the other children now."

 

"The others?"

 

"Yes. I know of other children that don't have a home. They're orphans, like me. They could use your help. If there is anything we can do to earn some food, we'll gladly do. We're hard workers."

 

"I have no doubt that you are. It just grieves me that children should have to work so

hard. Later, I would like you to tell my men where they can locate your friends and bring them to the palace for work. For now, we need you to go on a mission as a celestial warrior of Suzaku. What is your name, child?"

 

The girl's face lit up with his words.

 

"Everyone calls me Mahome. It's short for Tamahome, my symbol. So, we're going on an adventure? Sign me up!"

 

"Does this mean we can go, Kurotaki?" Kat hoped out loud.

 

"I fear we have no other alternative. Hotohori and I will make our plans tonight."

***

That night, Katsura slept more comfortable than she could ever remember. It felt as if she was exactly where she belonged. She would probably have gone on sleeping all day if her stomach had not suddenly been rammed into her spine. From out of know where, Mahome burst into the room and pounced right on top of Kat's stomach.

"Wake up, sleepy head! We have an adventure to go on!" she smiled.

Quickly Kat shoved Mahome off the bed.

"What the hell do you think you are doing?!"

"Whoa," Mahome pointed at Kat, "you don't look that great in the morning."

"Why you little...," Kat pounced back.

As the two wrestled on the ground, there was a knock at the door.

"Excuse me, Katsura," Hotohori called through the door, "I hate to bother you, but we will need to get going soon. Could you please come to the thrown room soon?"

"You got it! Be there in a jiffy," Kat replied.

"Thank you." As he walked away, he mumbled to himself, "What's a 'jiffy?'"

When everyone was finally assembled in the throne room, Kat saw that Hotohori was dressed as a commoner. He was still extremely cute though in Katsura's eyes.

"We have mapped out the path the three of you will take to Mount Taikyoku," Kurotaki started as he looked up from a map. "We have tried to keep you as far away from people as possible. But, since we want you as safe as possible, you will be traveling under the disguise of a family."

"Family? You mean like siblings?" Kat queried.

"Not exactly."

"You and Hotohori are goon be my mommy and daddy!" Mahome squealed as she hugged Kat's waist.

"I'm going...to pretend to be...Hotohori's...wife?!" Kat thought to herself. "Oh god. My heart is beating so fast again."

"Will that be okay with you Katsura?" Kurotaki interrupted her thought.

"Oh, of course. Absolutely. No problem whatsoever. My parents always said I would make a natural wife and mother," she grinned while scratching her head sheepishly.

"Excellent. Many lives rest on this mission. May Suzaku look on us favorably. Your horses should be ready now."

Outside they found two strong horses all packed and ready to go.

"They're beautiful! Which one am I riding?" Kat gasped.

"Both you and Mahome will be riding the a grey one," Hotohori said as he lifted Mahome onto the horse.

"Thank you, Daddy," she joked, causing Hotohori to blush.

"This is going to be interesting," he muttered. "You next, Priestess."

"That's okay. I can do it. Grandpa Taka taught me how ride when I was really young," Kat quipped as she got onto the mare with ease.

Hotohori seemed a little shocked at first, then smiled. "I should have guessed that he would.

He then mounted his brown stallion and turned to his brother.

"We shall return as soon as possible, brother."

"Take care, Hotohori. May you all return safely."

"Have no fear, emperor." Mahome declared. "We'll be back in no time."

"But first, we must leave, if we are to return," Hotohori reminded them. "Let's go. Hya!"