Authoress Notes: (8-18-02) The story is slightly AU. All the Suzaku Shichi Seishi are alive and Houki doesn't exist. No offense Houki fans. I'm okay with her, but she isn't needed in the story. And I will repeat, Kiku is not a Mary Sue. She will remain single all the way through with the story. And this is a bit similar to my other story, 'The Celestial Guardians of the Four Gods', but only slightly. And just to let you all know, music effects me when writing. Like, right now, I'm listening to 'Scarlet' which is the opening theme to Ayashi no Ceres, which is also created by Yuu Watase. I'm going between that song and 'Snow Planet' from Gundam Wing.

All rights reserved.

~~~~~~~~~

The Wandering Maiden: Chapter One: The Maiden

I smiled at the young child, ruffling her hair.

"Now you behave little one, all right? You're papa will be just fine!" I say to comfort the child. She looked up at me with bright, hopeful brown eyes, nodding.

"Thank you!" she replied, hugging me around the waist. I couldn't help but chuckle. Pulling away, I waved to the mother and the child, hoisting my pack up a bit and started to walk down the path. I was just about to exit the village, when I felt a tugging on my leg. Looking down, I see it's the girl again. She was holding a small bundle. "This from my mama, for helping my papa." My eyes soften, excepting the package.

"Thank you," I reply. "Now go back to your mother. She's waiting for you." Clutching the miniature package, I watched her run back. Turning back, I resume my walk. My name is Kiku, and I have no family. I wander through the four kingdoms, healing others and helping them in times of need. Because of this, people named me 'the Wandering Maiden'. Well, it is true. I never stay in one place for more than one week. I am always traveling. They see me as a savior or a blessing from the gods. How wrong they are.

My entire life I have had to live with this curse. No, I still have my own soul, but this is a different kind of curse. It is the curse of being the Daughter of the Gods. No, it's true. I am the daughter of the Four Gods. I know it may be hard to believe, but it's a fact. And my life. But no one knows this. In the beginning, I have lied, saying that my family died when mountain bandits came and raided my village. I was satisfied with it, since it seemed to work. But soon, I grew tired of this lie, and just refused to speak of it. How am I the daughter of the gods? Well, to be honest, I don't know myself. It came to me in a dream when I was little girl. Suzaku, Byakko, Genbu and Seiryuu appeared in there human forms, and spoke to me; telling me I am their daughter. Because of this, I was blessed with a gift from each. From Genbu, he bestowed upon me the gift of healing, the one technique I use the most often. Byakko, his gift to me was the gift of being a seer. Yes, I can see into the future, but I never use it. I never want to know the future, for it may be painful and hurtful. My third gift, from Seiryuu, is the gift of reviving the dead. I only use it when I was not able to save a patient. And finally, from Suzaku, it pairs with Seiryuu, which is a surprise. Those two fight most often. I can see into the Spirit World.

But that is I can say for now. I must concentrate on my traveling now. Night is beginning to fall, and I do not wish to be attacked by a robber or a bandit.

***

There, I can see it. An inn comes into view. Thank goodness. I was traveling for three hours and it is pitch black now. I can barely see my own hands! I break out into a run, trying not to trip on myself on the path! My pack bounces up and down on the back as I run. Reaching the inn record time, I grasp the handle and open the door. Stepping inside, I let my eyes adjust to the dim lighting. It seemed as though I was in the bar. There were several roughly carved wooden tables and the bar at the side. Walking up to the bar, I motion for the bartender.

"How much for a room for a night?" I asked. He was your typical bartender. Heavy set, mustache and beard, his head balding.

"3 gold pieces," he replied. Grumbling a bit, I opened my purse, fished out three gold pieces and let them tumble onto the bar table. He scooped them up and added them to a small bag at his waist. "Up the stairs, take a right, third door on the left." Nodding, I left the bar. Shaking my head at the few catcalls and whistle directed at me.

"Hey there pretty lady!"

"You wanna room with me?" Rolling my eyes, I went up the stairs, turned to the right and walked down the hallway. Opening the door, I stepped inside. A bed, small table with candle and a window. No mirror or anything else. Oh well. Stepping inside, I let my bag drop the ground and I sat down on the bed. At least the bed was comfortable. I just sat there, the silence ringing in my ears. It was late. I should sleep now. Picking up my bag, I pulled out my sleeping outfit and changed into it. I settled myself in the bed, resting my head against the pillow. With a yawn, I closed my eyes…

***

Grumbling, I opened my eyes. This earned another grumble as I snapped them shut. Damn the sun. Damn Byakko. Sitting up, I rubbed my weary eyes. He came to me yet again in my dreams, asking why I have not used his gift. I wish one of the other gods would get him off my case. I never want to know the future, ever. Throwing back the blanket, I climbed out of bed and quickly changed. Grabbing my brush, I ran it through my black hair as best as I could. I don't have a mirror, remember? Tossing it into my bed, I grabbed my bag and headed out of the room. Walking down the stairs, I found the bar completely empty. I snickered. The drunks must have had one hell of a hangover. Waving to the bartender, I left the inn. I never stay long in inns. You never know what kind of trouble or fights that will occur in them. This inn was one of them. Shrugging my pack, I started my walk. There was a gentle breeze, tossing my hair around a bit. I couldn't help but smile. The morning was perfect. And I had no real destination. I guess that's one of the reasons I love to travel like this; I love to just walk with no true destination. It's fun to see where I end up in.

I just heard the screeching of a hawk. Breakfast for it I guess. Chuckling, I continue walking.

***

Hmm…I stopped at the entrance to the kingdom. My heart has brought me to Konan. The on Suzaku guards and protects. It's been a while since I was last here. I was staying in Genbu during the time of the war between two of my fathers, Suzaku and Seiryuu. I later heard news that Kutou had fallen and is in chaos. I will go to that city after my trip here. I know many an evil shadow hovers over Kutou; but still, it is a city of one of my fathers. I sighed heavily, before walking towards the gate. The guards see me and nod. They recognize me. One of them, I remembered. I had helped his eldest son when he had caught a deadly virus. Smiling and with a small wave, I enter the kingdom. Almost at once do I meet the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets.

"Hey, watch it!"

"Excuse me, I need to get through!"

"I'll start at two gold coins! Do I hear three?"

"A special deal, I must say!"

"The red or the white?"

"MOMMY! He pulled my hair!" Chuckling, I shove my way through. Suzaku, it's hell here! Ouch! Someone stepped on my foot! Damn, that hurt! Grumbling, I tried to find a way through, without getting trampled. After about seven minutes of this, I managed to pull myself into a clearing. With a sigh, I walked through the less chaotic streets.

<Kiku…>

-Hai Father?- I could feel his energy in me, warm and fiery. -What is it Suzaku?-

<I am merely checking up on you child. Byakko is still upset that you still refuse to use his gift.>

-I would rather not know the future father. I wouldn't be able to bare it if something terrible were to happen. Please tell him to stop asking me.-

<Very well then. You may want to know this, however: there is a family near by, who both the father and mother are ill.> Smiling, I nod.

-Thank you father.- Then, before my eyes a small, red phoenix appeared. No one could see it but me. Picking up speed, I followed the phoenix out of the city streets, to a small house near the palace. The phoenix stopped and rested by the door. I patted the bird and it sang a single note kindly, before vanishing. I raised my fist and gently knocked on the door. The door flew open quickly, I sweatdropped. Standing there was a boy with cropped green hair and bright blue eyes. He looked about as though he was eleven. He looked at me, relief washing over his face.

"You must be the doctor! Thank goodness!" I couldn't help but smile.

"I am not a doctor child," I replied gently. His face fell. "But, I am a traveling healer." This brought back the joy in his face. Grabbing my hand, he pulled me into the small house and practically dragged me into a room. Within it was a bed with two figures in it. The mother and father. The woman had soft brown hair that was plastered to her face from her sweat. Kneeling down, I pressed my hand against her forehead. Shit, she was burning up. I've never seen anything like this either.

"Please miss, will you be able to help?" the boy begged. I looked at him, giving him an encouraging smile.

"I will do my best," was the best answer I had. Seeing this helped, I turned back to the mother. What was this? I've dealt with fevers before, but this seemed strange. As though…it was caused by something…something…Shaking my head, I cleared my mind of any thoughts. -Genbu…- I placed my hand over the woman still beating heart. Closing my eyes, I concentrated. -Genbu…leaned me your power…- I could my insides tingle as the power surged through my body. It snaked down my arms and I could feel it in my hand. It left my through my finger tips and entered the woman's heart. -Genbu, save this woman…give back her health and life…give her strength…- Then I felt it. I felt my father place his human-form hand over mine, his power slowly entering the woman's heart. Opening my eyes, I saw her relax. Smiling, I pulled back. She was in peaceful sleep. I looked over at the boy, grinning. "Your mother is going to be fine," I spoke soothingly. "She just needs to rest now."

"What about my papa?" I looked over at the father and simply nodded. I walked around to the other side of the bed. I knelt down beside him. Placing my hand on his forehead, I checked his temp. What the…he was cold. Ice cold. I checked his pulse. Oh shit! Shit no! My eyes widened as I check the pulse again. I laid my ear against his heart, Nothing.

"Shit no!" I voiced my shock. The boy stared at me, scared. A girl came into the room, looking like him.

"What's wrong? Is the that the doctor?" she asked. I looked over at them, my heart breaking. I know I can revive him, but still…

"Is he…is he…?" the boy started. I turned away and I heard the two sniffle. I closed my eyes. I have to revive him. I have to. These children need him. The mother does.

"Don't worry," I said softly. "It'll be fine. Just step okay?" I didn't bother looking at them, but I heard their footsteps. I closed my eyes. -Suzaku…please, open the door…let me see…- In my mind, I saw a doorway. Mentally, I ran to it and entered. Inside, it was dark, filled with black mist. All around me were spirits, so many, it was incredible.

"Where are you?" I mouthed, searching the sea of spirits. "Where are you? You are missed dearly." I've done this before, demo, this was still hard. It could take me days to find the right spirit. "Where are you?" Suddenly, I felt a cold touch on my shoulder. Turning, I studied the spirit, before smiling. "You are him, ne?" It was the father all right, except instead of the natural colors of a living person, he was pale blue and white, and I could almost see right through him.

"Please…I can't leave my family now…"

"I know," I said simply, holding out my hand. "Take my hand, and I will show you the way home." He simply nodded reached out to take my hand. The moment he touched it, I felt some of my life force leave me and enter him. Closing my eyes, I felt myself leave the spirit world, holding onto his hand. Opening them again, I was back. The father winced before opening his eyes, looking dazed and confused.

"Papa?" Standing aside, I let the children run to their parents, crying with relief. Smiling, I watched. My vision was going blurry now, my head spinning.

"Shit…"I murmured, holding my head. This always happened, ever single damn time. I could fell my legs weaken, my strength leaving me. "Oh man…" The last thing I heard before fainting were the door opening and heavy footsteps entering the room. Then it went black.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Okay, I finally finished this chapter. *very happy* ~Lady Saturn