Red River Fan Fiction ❯ A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE ❯ V3 C3 The Rose Water ( Chapter 12 )

A SHINTO PRIESTESS IN THE ANCIEN HITTITE EMPIRE

OR

WHERE THE RED FIRE AND RED RIVER MEET

 

 

Disclaimer: I own nothing except Miyuki Kanzaki.

 

Notes: I have been accused to have no creative ideas about this story. In a way, it is the case. I'm writing this story for my personal pleasure. But I like Miyuki and I like how she interacts in the world of Red River. A fan-fiction is made by fans for fans. This is exactly the case here.

Be assured of one thing: I LOVE THIS STORY and I have no intention to stop it. I can modify it but I have no truly ideas for now.

 

A funny thing: If you have read my other stories, you should have found that I am a specialist of crossover. Curiously, I couldn't find any worthy series, games or films that could truly mix in with Red River.

 

If you have any ideas on that subject, please write to me. I am always willing to extract creative juices anywhere.

 

 

Vol 3 Chap 3: The Rose Water.

 

 

In the dark recess of her mind, the Tavananna, the Queen Nakia is plotting again. In front of her were three obstacles to her dream to sit her son on the throne of he Hittites. She waved her hand over her sacred water basin: the faces of two young men appeared, two brothers with the same amber eyes and blond heir. “Kail Mursili II and Zannanza Hattusili… The pair known as Hittite's bravest warriors are together now.”

 

She waved her hand again and a young girl appeared: A small Japanese girl with long black hair, deep emerald eyes and ivory skin. She was clad in a white dress with an imperial purple top. A golden belt and jewelleries completed the magnificent garb. “And the rabble have begun to worship that little slut as the Goddess of War, Ishtar.” This obstacle was becoming more and more problematic. This insignificant wench was a priestess and was now receiving attention from the gods.

 

Her staff topped by a stag trembled in her hand as anger seized her. “This is intolerable! If Prince Kail gets all the credit for defeating the Mitanni in this war, the successor of the Imperial line will definitely be him.” The staff hit the surface of the water, banishing the images. “I WILL NOT LET THIS HAPPEN!”

 

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Clad in a crème tunic with calf-length leather soft boots, Miyuki rushed to her adversary, a two-edged straight bronze sword in a two-handed overhead strike. Her Ki (Life-force energy used by martial artists.) flowed from her centre to her arms as her breath was expelled in a Kiai (Scream used by martial artist when they used a Ki-backed attack, can also be a form of Ki-powered sonic attack.). “HIYA!”

 

Curiously, her thoughts weren't focused on the duel. `Prince Kail will have to choose a proper wife sooner or later. Moreover, I'll be back in Japan next year.'

 

Her adversary parried swiftly the overhead cut. The two bronze swords clanged to each other with strength. The small girl was deceptively strong for her size and build.

 

`So, I'll keep my expectations low and my hormones under control.'

 

Using the rebound effect of his parry, the adversary came high for a cut on her forehead. Her sword went into a standard high block and stopped the attack.

 

`I can't allow myself to fall in love with Prince Kail any more than I have!' She smiled internally. `There! I said it! I've fallen in love with him.'

 

The sword of the adversary came from low with a particular twist directly to her sword-hilt. The clash of the two swords reverberated strongly in her wrist and her hand opened by reflexes. Her sword flew out of her reach. Already the adversary's sword went to her throat, but she wasn't beaten yet.

 

`Both of us have our duties. He is the third Prince and the most probable successor in the Imperial line. I am the Miko of the Kanzaki bloodline and sworn to protect the Nexus.'

 

She twisted on herself, evading the point of the blade. Her left hand went to her back and drew the dagger sheathed here. She completed her circling movement and slashed to the exposed side. But her adversary had anticipated the attack and withdrew from it. Now that the young girl was committed on her attack, he went for a slash to her neck.

 

“OH!” Miyuki froze as the blade rested lightly on the exposed flesh of her neck: She was defeated.

 

Clapping sounds unfroze the scene. “Good! Let's stop here!”

 

The sweating displaced student smiled to the blond young man watching the fight. “Prince Kail!” Her adversary was a sweating and smiling Prince Zannanza. He had won, but the young girl had made him work hard for it. Her last pass would have hit him if he hadn't know beforehand that she had that dagger and that she could fight with a weapon in each hand.

 

The amber-eyed third Prince was impressed with the Miko. She was better than many swordsmen he knew. Her style combined her prodigious agility with unorthodox tactics like this two-weapon style and hand to hand techniques he had never seen before. “Zannanza was your opponent and you still fought him almost to a draw. Consider it well done, Miyuki.”

 

Hadi, Ryui and Shalla were also very enthusiast about the young girl. “Princess Miyuki has improved very fast: We're no match for her anymore.” Since she had asked them to teach bow and sword skills, the Hatti sisters had discovered that it was more to learn and adapt the forms known by the Hittites than really learned something new.

 

The fourth Prince nodded as he sheathed his sword. “You have truly a gift. It's a waste that you're a woman.” By all the gods, he would prefer to have her protecting his back in a battle than many of his own soldiers.

 

Miyuki smiled as she wiped her sweaty forehead. “Thank you, Prince Zannanza. After all, I have been formed for that.”

 

Zannanza raised an eyebrow as he took a cloth from Ryui to wipe his sweat. “Formed?”

 

She nodded. “Yes, in my country I am one of the protectors of a sacred ground.” She couldn't tell everything of the 20th century as many things would be incomprehensible or inappropriate, but she could give equivalents. “As the heir of my bloodline, it is my duty to protect the souls of my people from evil spirits.” Her gaze became clouded by the memories. “My first teacher had been my father, the actual high-priest of the temple I lived in. He taught me how to use the power of my faith and instructed me in the secrets of our family.” She leaned and took up her discarded sword. “My mother was the first who introduced me to the art of the blade and the bow.”

 

Zannanza blinked. “Your mother?”

 

She smiled as she remembered the marvellous moments passed in the dojo as her mother instructed her in the Way of the Saber. “Before I found myself in Hattusa, it was my comrades of the Circle and one full year of mystic battles that polished my skills.”

 

This interested the Hatti sisters. The young priestess rarely spoke of those around her. “Your comrades?”

 

The smile reached her eyes. “My best friends. First, there is Eric Carter. He is a powerful spell-caster and the heavy-hitter of the group. Then, you have Lina, the hand to hand specialist and frontline fighter.” She giggled. “Her art is associated with feline-like agility and claws. Next we have Hiroshi Mamiya and his girlfriend XL who are our scouts. Finally there is Komera, a foreign princess who lend us the power of her bloodline and her long experience of the battlefield until her people find her.”

 

Kail nodded. He had been surprised that she didn't acknowledge Eric as the man she liked. “So, women can go on the battlefield in your society.”

 

She shook her head and sheathed her sword. “Not always. It's more a matter of capabilities.” Her gaze darkened. “We are the only ones who can do it and so the duty is ours” `I'm also trying hard because this is the only way I can stay with Prince Kail AND protect myself from the Queen.'

 

Duly impressed, Zannanza rejoined his brother as Miyuki began her cooling routine. “Brother, I've finally realized why you like her.” The fourth Prince gazed upon the black-haired girl.

 

The Japanese took gratefully a cloth for her sweaty face from the eldest Hatti. “Hadi, would you please get me some water?”

 

“Yes , princess.”

 

“By the way, did the bow-maker finish what I wanted?”

 

The fourth Prince smiled as he observed Miyuki receiving a long bundle from Shalla. “No matter what the circumstances are, she's very concentrated on what she's doing. And she's so very cute!”

 

The Japanese teenager exulted as she examined the bundle. “YES! Perfect!”

 

Kail and Zannanza blinked as they looked on the curious object in the hand of the young priestess.

 

Zannanza blinked. “Why, it looks like a bow, but…”

 

Kail nodded, perplexed. “It's much too long.”

 

When Miyuki had learned the bow skills of the Hittites, she had found that they used only short-bows. Her kyudo skills were oriented to the longbow, so she had asked for a very specific bow.

 

The artisan had been a little put upon by the strange command, but Miyuki was the concubine of Prince Kail, so he made the bow as she wanted.

 

The group gathered around her and the curious weapon. Kail knew that Miyuki was full of surprises but here… “Are you sure you want a bow like that. It must need a great strength to use it.”

 

Miyuki nodded. “Yes, and that the advantage.” She smiled. “Choose a target.” She took a length of bow-string and began to bend the weapon. She attentively examined the arrows with it. The peculiar ammunitions were also longer than normal arrows.

 

Kail blinked. “A target?” He looked around and smirked a little. “Well what about that large flower there.”

 

She looked in the direction of his hand. “Hum, yes. The red one near the fountain, right?”

 

Kail did a double-take. “Huh? I was more thinking of that white there.”

 

Miyuki shook her head. “It's too near us to be a proper target.”

 

Zannanza looked to her, bewildered. “Too near? This red one must be at 300 feet. Only a very experienced archer could hit it.”

 

Miyuki grinned and calmly adjusted her target, calling on her Kyudo skills. Then, when in her willpower, target and arrow blended, she fired.

 

The group gasped when the arrow hit the centre of the flower dead on. But the Miko wasn't finished. She still calmly aimed for a tree at the end of the training field and fired three arrows in rapid succession. All the projectiles hit the same zone large as a hand.

 

Even the Hatti sisters, who knew beforehand about the bow, were flabbergasted. “Th-That impossible, the distance is at least 600 feet, no archer can hit a target at this distance with any accuracy.”

 

Miyuki smiled and began to unstring the weapon, very satisfied of the results. “Well the optimal range of your bows is about 60 feet. This longbow has an optimal range of 100 feet. And I have the strength AND the skill to hit what I want.”

 

It was then that a long brown-haired person appeared behind the Princes. “Excuse me your highnesses.”

 

Kail turned to the Imperial clerk. “Yes, Ilvani?”

 

“His Majesty has organized a celebration. For the reunion of both princes tonight at the palace.”

 

Kail raised an eyebrow. It was hardly surprising. “A celebration…”

 

“Yes, and this time you need to bring along your concubine…”

 

Miyuki blinked and pointed to herself. “Concubine… I have to come as well?” She palmed her face. “Oh, this is just great! I have never been at ease at such events and I'm not used to the Hittite social scene.”

 

Ilvani shrugged. “His Majesty says he wishes to meet Ishtar, thus princess Miyuki certainly has to attend the celebration.” He leaned to the third Prince. “However, Prince Kail! Please be careful!” He continued softly. “Because it's the Queen who suggested bringing Miyuki along for the event.”

 

“The Queen!” Kail narrowed his eyes. “What is she plotting this time?”

 

“That's very easy.” Everybody turned to the grim girl. “Despite the time Ilvani had devoted to bring me up to date with your etiquette and social niceties, I am far from being ready for a palace feast.” She looked into the amber eyes of the third prince. “Queen Nakia knows that I am a foreigner. She invited me on the social scene to strike socially at you by using me as a proxy.”

 

Hadi blinked. “But I thought she wanted to kill you…”

 

Miyuki nodded. “The Queen still hasn't given up on killing me.” Her emerald eyes narrowed. “But that doesn't stop her to turn her wicked attention against Prince Kail.”

 

Zannanza slowly nodded. “She's right. She can hurt you quite nicely through your princess, brother.”

 

Kail smirked. “Well, we now know about the trap.” He beamed to the Miko. “We just have to hope for the best and plan for the worst.”

 

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The night had fallen on Hattusa and the Imperial palace glowed with the fires of the feast.

 

Kail turned to the worried silhouette between him and his brother. “Miyuki!” The young girl was clad in a nicely cut crème tunic. Sandals adorned her feet, and jewelleries highlighted her status: gold bracelets and rings contrasted on her ivory skin, silver earrings and headband shone in her neat black hair. A darker belt and pectoral completed her garb. “With me and Zannanza by your side, you don't have to worry.”

 

His brother nodded. “Anyway, in such a public place, the Queen won't dare to act rashly.”

 

The Japanese priestess tried to smile. “Sure.” Miyuki had always detested the feasts her family attended because of their social status and function. She looked around. `Every woman here, is so beautiful… They remind me of tropical fishes or peacocks.' The necessity to maintain a proper face in the high circles of society had been her bane. She deeply disliked the false smiles and the innuendo in every word. Her heightened senses were prompt to point to her the vanity of many. The whispered comments about her and her appearance were far from genuine.

 

“Look! That is Prince Kail's…”

 

“No matter how we look… She really looks like a boy.”

 

She reddened a little and internally snorted. `Women's clothes don't really suit me and too many already know this little quirk of mine about male clothes.'

 

An amused voice sounded behind them. Miyuki internally winced as she recognized it. “My… My… Is that Prince Kail and Prince Zannanza! Such a rare sight.”

 

The group turned to see the tall blond-haired and violet-eyed woman regally walking to them.

 

Miyuki called on her Zen training to have a mask of serenity as she properly bowed to the Tavannana. “Queen Nakia!” `She is very beautiful. Like a tropical snake or a carnivorous plant. What are you up to now?'

 

The Queen was pinching her lips and pointed her jewelled sceptre to the young girl. “YOU…!”

 

Miyuki blinked. “Yes, your majesty?”

 

“How dare you come in here through this entrance!?”

 

Kail narrowed his eyes. “Queen, this is the Royal entrance.” The fear that the Queen would attack them socially was justified after all. “My concubine should be allowed to use this entrance.”

 

“Concubine?” Nakia laughed haughtily. “She looks more like your maid…”

 

The laughter was echoing in the hall and many of the women present were also giggling. Miyuki forced herself to remain calm.

 

The Queen continued her assault on Kail. “She doesn't even look like Ishtar. Look at the other princesses, they dress themselves so attractively. It's inexcusable that a man of your status cannot provide proper raiment for his concubine, Prince Kail!”

 

`Okay! Your goal is now clear, snake! Let's see if I can do something.' “Your majesty, Prince Kail has prepared a lot of clothes for me. But I only like this…”

 

“BE QUIET! It's not your choice to like or dislike! Yet, the way you are dressed at a Royal celebration is a disgrace to the Prince who brought you here.”

 

This time, the emerald eyes narrowed and almost shone with her internal fire. `Disgrace to the Prince…? You just confirmed our suspicions!'

 

Kail understood that the assault was two-pronged as Nakia was trying to undermine the confidence of the young girl. “Miyuki, don't mind! You just do whatever you like. I like you in those clothes.”

 

Miyuki said nothing but smiled to the Queen. Sharks had more friendly smiles.

 

Hadi, escorted by her sisters, approached at that moment. “Princess Miyuki, don't worry! We saw this coming, therefore we prepared clothes earlier.”

 

Miyuki was startled. “What?” She almost forgot the plan they prepared before the feast.

 

Ryui began to push the Miko into a small room. “Don't you feel angry at what the Queen said?”

 

Miyuki had a sudden bad feeling. “Yes, but…”

 

Shalla captured a hand and hauled along the recalcitrant teenager. “Then follow us.”

 

Hadi bowed to Kail. “Prince, please wait for a while.”

 

Miyuki tried to argue with the twins. “Wait…! No matter how I dress, I'll be laughed at!”

 

Kail felt a little lost at the antics of the Hatti sisters and his pseudo-concubine. They made the plan together, but… “Very well.”

 

As he waited, he glanced sideway to the sneering woman. `As we feared, the Queen is up to something with all this. What is she really scheming?'

 

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In the Royal hall, the chamberlain was calling the names of the invited Princes. “His Royal highness First Prince Sari Arnuwanda, his wife and concubines… His Royal highness Second Prince Rois Telepinu, his wife and concubines… His Royal highness Third Prince Kail Mursili and his concubine…” He stopped and blinked as he saw only Kail sipping his wine and no one else. “Eh? Where is his concubine…?” A little confused, the chamberlain attempted to continue. “Noble con…”

 

“Kail!” The Emperor Suppiluliumas was curious. “What happened to your goddess of war?”

 

Behind a smiling and almost smirking Queen Nakia, a woman stage-whispered to her neighbours. “I think she doesn't dare to show herself at this party… Am I right?”

 

Kail promptly glared at the giggling women who blushed and fell silent. The third Prince smiled to his father. “The Morning Star awaits the dawn. Just wait for a little while.”

 

Suppiluliumas huffed and muttered. “Humph! He's playing her up again.” He turned to the fourth Prince. “Zannanza, what about you?” The blond Prince blinked to his father. “Kail now has a concubine and you're the only one left without one.”

 

Zannanza smiled a little. “Yes… I suppose I shall start looking for my princess.”

 

Hadi finally came back and knelt to the assembly. “Forgive us. Princess Miyuki will now make her entrance.” She then turned to the curtained entrance and waited. Kail, Suppiluliumas and Zannanza also waited and waited…

 

Hadi sweated a little and came closer to the curtain. “Princess Miyuki, is anything wrong?”

 

The voice of Miyuki sounded shyly as opposed as her normal confident tone. “I'm embarrassed at wearing those clothes.”

 

Kail laughed softly with his brother. The girl who wasn't afraid to fight with swords and bows was embarrassed by her dress. How cute! Zannanza winked to Kail. “Look like this Morning Star is a bit shy.” He got up. “She needs an escort to accompany her.” He went to the curtains and held his hand. “Princess Miyuki! It's all right, give up and show yourself.”

 

He heard her grumbling a little then, hesitantly, an ivory hand pulled the curtains and reached for the hand of the fourth Prince. Zannanza blinked as a golden-sandaled foot passed the entrance, an ankle-bracelet of bells jingling as she walked in.

 

A heavenly vision entered the hall. Her jet-black thick mane of hair was made into an elaborated high ponytail. A silver diadem and a silver hair-band shone like stars in the night. Her mysterious almond-shaped eyes seemed to hold two shining real emeralds. A pair of golden earrings highlighted her Asian delicate features. Finally, her red-blood painted lips and a small flushing of her cheeks accented the alabaster taint of her skin.

 

And that was just for the visage. She was clad in an almost translucent white dress that hung on her shapely body and highlighted her womanhood. No belt but big sapphires that served as clasps. A collar of sapphires and rubies shone around her white throat. Golden bracelets and rings completed this breath-stealing divine apparition.

 

Zannanza and Kail could only look speechless at this heavenly vision. Ilvani dropped his cup and Kikkuri continued to pour wine on his feet. The Hatti sisters smirked and congratulated themselves on a job well done: The exact appearance of the dress had been maintained secret during the elaboration of the plan. Queen Nakia got up under the surprise and was openly gaping at what she was seeing.

 

But the sheer enhanced beauty of the young girl wasn't the only thing that caught the attention of everybody. Already uneasy in such an event, the Miko had unconsciously called upon her power to boost her confidence. She was irradiating with the invisible fiery aura of her nature, and her inner light was touching the entire crowd.

 

Miyuki blinked and put a hand over her heart as she was seeing and feeling the gaze of everyone on her. `What happened…? Why are they staring? Do I really look that stupid?'

 

The crowd roared her approval.

 

“OH… GODS!”

 

“…SO…BEAUTIFUL!”

 

Suppiluliumas himself wasn't unaffected. He got up to acknowledge the foreign beauty. “As if they were two totally different persons!” He literally beamed to the young girl. “For what I see, the goddess of war is not only intelligent but beautiful as well. You are radiant!”

 

Many nodded in the crowd.

 

“True, considering Princess Miyuki's beauty, Prince Kail was wise to wait.”

 

“He found a rare gem for himself.”

 

However, many women weren't very happy. Some were even literally green with jealousy.

 

Miyuki blushed under the attention and tripped on her long dress. “Oops!”

 

Zannanza managed to catch her in time. “Careful!” A little too close of her breasts for their mutual comfort.

 

The poor girl blushed more. “I'm sorry, I'm still not used to this clothes…”

 

The fourth Prince was also red in the face. “It's ok, that is normal…”

 

Kail lost his smile as he witnessed the scene. The green poison seeped a little in his heart.

 

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The Queen Nakia smirked as she observed the trio. “Two men and a woman…” She giggled. “Shattering their harmony is a simple task. No matter what, I won't let Prince Kail succeed, and I'll have that girl's head as living sacrifice.” She sneered. “Do you really believe that I had only one plan ready? Except for my son, no one shall take the throne.”

 

Miyuki managed to dodge and evade all the well-wishers and all the jealous women attempting to bring her down or stole some of her glory. She took a deep breath of air on the balcony.

 

“What happened? You look tired.”

 

Miyuki smiled and turned to the approaching fourth Prince. “Nothing, it's just that I can't stand the stares of those ladies. I've never intended an Imperial feast before. And I'm still worried about the Queen.” She then pointed to her left. “And Prince Kail is over there talking to the ministers.”

 

Zannanza smiled. “I'm not here looking for my brother.” He looked with nostalgia on the young girl. “You surprised me. When I first saw you.” Miyuki blinked and turned fully to the blond prince. “I couldn't believe it, because you look very much like my mother.”

 

“Your mother?”

 

The amber-eyed sibling of Kail nodded. “Yes. She was a personal maid to the Emperor's former wife, Queen Hinti, Kail's mother. She caught the Emperor's attention and I was born.”

 

Miyuki smiled. She understood now why Kail and Zannanza were so close. “So that's why Kail and you grew up together.”

 

Zannanza smiled sadly. “Yes. However my mother was a frail woman and she passed away when I was still very young.” He remembered his childhood as he played with his brother, Kikkuri running after them and Ilvani already watching them from afar. “But Queen Hinti took me in and let me live with my brother. She raised me as her own son.”

 

The fourth Prince gazed fondly on the Japanese teenager. “I remember my mother, as a small and thin person… Just like you.”

 

Miyuki smiled and her eyes shone under the stars. “Thank you, Prince Zannanza. It's an honour and a real pleasure to know that I can remind you of your mother. I'm sure I would have liked her very much.”

 

The voice of Kail reached to her. “Miyuki! Come here for while! Let me introduce you to the ministers.”

 

Miyuki sighed. “Well, duty calls. Excuse me, Prince Zannanza, I have to go.”

 

Zannanza nodded and observed the beautiful girl coming to the side of his brother, a radiant smile on her lips.

 

Ilvani approached the fourth Prince. He had observed and noted a few things that should be addressed quickly. “Your highness Zannanza!”

 

“Ah, Ilvani!” Zannanza lifted his cup. “Want to join me? I'd like to drink some wine tonight.”

 

“Your highness, please choose your princess or concubine very soon!” Zannanza sweated. “A woman who belongs to you.”

 

The fourth Prince looked away. “You misunderstand me. I wasn't trying to…”

 

After the departure of Ilvani, a serving girl approached the lonely Prince with a jug of wine. “Your highness Zannanza, would you like some more wine?”

 

“Yes, I would!” `I need something strong to put away some thoughts of mine.' He drank heartily the rich wine.

 

The servant smiled as she returned to a tall woman. “My Queen. I've given him the wine.”

 

“Thank you. That's was Egypt's finest wine, so I'd like him to try it out.” Nakia internally chuckled. `Oh, yes. I wanted him to try it and more.'

 

On the balcony, Zannanza swayed. “What… What's happening?” He put a hand on his sweating forehead. `I feel feverish. Ah! My head is pounding.'

 

A smiling Queen Nakia approached the stricken young man. “Prince Zannanza! You have drunk rose water.” `He is now very sensible to some specific suggestions.' “You're a young and handsome Prince!” She lifted up his chin and continued to whisper her suggestions. “There surely is a woman that you like very much right now! Don't hide your feelings.” She focused her will to imprint the compulsion on the open and malleable mind. “Go! Follow your desire and possess that woman.” Her hand seized the ring finger of Zannanza and slipped a simple golden design on it. “This will ensure you that she will not resist your advances.”

 

Zannanza turned a feverish and lustful gaze on the beautiful black-haired and emerald-eyed Japanese who was lightly talking with some guests. Her smile dazzled him. “I… I want that woman…” A small golden needle shone with a malevolent light on the ring on his finger.

 

Two other pairs of eyes were watching the young girl. A tall dark-skinned man turned to a tall and powerful woman. “So, you want me to test her?”

 

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Notes: The reason why Miyuki has a longbow? It's because the traditional weapon associated with Ishtar is the bow. Now the ancient Middle-East is to encounter the only longbow in existence in this era.

 

Thank you for their reviews to NUNICHAN, Inu Toy and Kane-Sakura.

 

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